Madera's Benny Madrigal will lead the Madera boys cross country team into the California State Meet Saturday at Woodward Park.

Photo by: Wendy Alexander

Despite being regarded as one of the elite teams in the state all season, the Madera boys cross country team finds itself in the position of having to prove once again that they belong.

Just a month ago they were ranked as the number four team in the state but they will line up this Saturday at Woodward Park with a number twelve ranking having been dismissed by alleged running experts as well as teams that Madera has already defeated this year.

"I really sense that the boys are running with a purpose and to validate Madera cross country," said coach Rich Parris. "We have everything to gain and nothing to lose and trust me-we will show up to race."

Although this is a team that conducts itself with dignity and class and defers the media spotlight to other teams, it would be a grave mistake for any team to take them lightly as they are a proud and intensely competitive group.

If anything, this incredibly talented group will use their being dropped for consideration as a top five finisher at the State Meet as fuel to stoke the competitive fire that burns within each runner.

"Our guys know what they have worked hard all summer and fall to achieve," said Parris. "They can rank us wherever they want but I can tell you that we are going after the top three."

While there is little dispute that the team title is essentially between two teams-Don Lugo High from Chino and Royal High from Simi Valley-the third spot is up for grabs as there are five teams Madera will be competing against with a legitimate shot at finishing in this position-Murrietta Valley, El Camino, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and Torrey Pines who are ranked as the number three, four, five, six and seven teams in the state despite Madera having defeated each of these teams during the season with the exception of Murrietta Valley who they didn't face.

In order to silence their critics, Madera will have to run their finest race of the season but all the components are in place as they have trained hard through most of the meets and are physically ready-the deciding factor is whether they are mentally ready to reach deep inside and challenge themselves to run smart and through new thresholds of pain in order to achieve their goal.

"We're still dealing with some injuries but I think that the team is up for the challenge," said Parris. "If we run like we are capable of and put ourselves in position at the two-mile mark, then it just becomes a race of courage and guts."

Madera junior Benny Madrigal has led the team all season and will once again be counted upon to come up with a big race on the heels of winning the Valley and running his season best time in capturing the Grand Masters individual title.

"Benny is ready to run the race of his life," said Parris. "He just ran a personal record and has a legitimate shot to finish in the top ten."

Although not showing the form that won him the same respect as Madrigal last season, Claudio Moreno has the ability and unquestioned mental toughness to run right with Madrigal and give Madera a solid one-two combination.

"Claudio is just so tough and I am sending him out with Benny," said Parris. "Claudio also has the ability to finish in the top ten."

The real key in determining how Madera fares will be how well the third, fourth and fifth runners finish as the winner will be decided on the cumulative placings of each teams top five runners.

The placing of the top finisher is no more important than the placing of any other runner and therein lies the essence of team racing-balance.

Senior Auggie Hernandez appears to be ready for another good performance as he ran a personal record last week at the Grand Masters. Jesse Perez, Pedro Perez, Daniel Rocha, Nathan Devault and Anthony Pulido all will play a pivitol role in how high Madera places.

"I'm still not sure about the status of Anthony," said Parris. "He should be one of out top three runners but has a severe calf injury but kept it to himself in order to help the team-that says an awful lot about his character."

Character is what has defined this team all season long and the components of character-courage, desire, perseverance and pride will serve them well as they run to their deserved ranking.

"I'm really excited to be at state again-the guys have been running their best times and are physically ready," said Parris. "It's time not to run, but race with their hearts, legs and minds."

The California State Cross Country Meet will be held this Saturday at Woodward Park beginning at 8 AM. The following times are when the Madera teams will be racing:



Division I Girls 8:30 a.m.

Division I Boys 9:40 a.m.

Paul Stanford Paul Stanford is the sports editor for the Madera Tribune. You can contact Paul at 674.8134 ext. 225 or e-mail at pstanford (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.