MBHS Cross Country just had its first race, and the Cross Country Invitational, which Morro Bay has hosted since the 70s. This year, over 70 high schools attended, as well as local middle schools, totalling over 1,400 runners.
The race was a great start to the new season, with the girls’ team ranking first in their section. At the invitational, Morro Bay placed third as a team. “We had a good opening to the season, we have a good team,” says Dominic Holst, a senior varsity runner. “It’s cool to be competitive with San Luis Obispo High despite being a smaller school,” said Joaquin Cuellar, another senior varsity athlete.
The team is feeling super excited by this amazing start, with fellow varsity senior athletes Phaedra Fernflores and Astrid Barnett-Davis discussing what they are most excited about for the season. “I love cross country,” starts Fernflores, “and I’m really excited to go on the overnights.” Holst is excited for the Ojai invitational, despite it being a tough course in the heat, “Everybody’s excited to go,” says Holst, “It’ll be the first meet in the season where everybody in varsity will be able to run together.” “We’re gonna have all of our top seven in one single meet.” Says Cuellar.
Barnett-Davis and Fernflores both agree that Coach Frere’s coaching has been incredible. “Coach Frere is very supportive,” says Barnett-Davis, “She is always willing to listen to our input and wants our opinion, and you can definitely tell she is very focused on the longevity of the program by the way she trains the new runners and brings them up to speed.” Fernflores nods, “Coach Frere really cares about us,” said Fernflores.
Fernflores and Barnett-Davis are currently excited for Freshmen Sofie Waldman and Seamus Wolf, who they feel are standout freshmen this year with incredible potential. “Oliver Zates is also really gonna step up this year,” adds Holst. Barnett-Davis remembers a fun memory with Waldman, “For Sophie’s birthday, Phaedra made these really delicious cookies, and we brought apple juice and candles and celebrated.”
Reflecting as a senior on advice for Freshman athletes, Fernflores said, “My advice to Freshman athletes is to just focus on time management, so [you] won’t struggle with school or miss lots of Cross Country.” Barnett-Davis nods and adds on more solid advice for different grades, “Yes, definitely. But, time management is also really important for juniors and seniors, because of the intensity of balancing school and sports,” said Barnett-Davis.
MBHS has had an amazing Cross Country season so far, and all the athletes are ready to keep performing their best and raising the bar. Good luck Pirates!
