Charger boys youthful but have potential

The Agoura boys’ cross-country team features a mix of veterans and rookies and they’ve developed good chemistry, said Charger head coach Missy Andrews. But the girls’ team at Agoura is struggling due to a short supply of runners.

"We have some outstanding freshmen," Andrews said about the boys’ team. "And we have some seniors that are working hard and I think that we can be competitive this year. We’re going to get out and try. Everybody trained all summer, worked hard.

"And with the new freshmen coming in," Andrews added, "it’s been inspiring for the older guys—and they’ve had to work a little harder because of the talent that’s come in."

Members of the team include Skylar Matson, a senior, Chris Baird, a freshman, Steve Davis, a senior, Kevin Johnson, a junior, Jeremy Stevens, a senior, and Cory Hatch, a sophomore.

"The boys’ varsity team, they’ve trained hard, they’ve worked together all summer and I expect them to be competitive this year," said Andrews, now in her fifth year as head coach. "It’s a great mix of personalities. They work off each other. They inspire each other."

Matson is the team-captain. Baird in the young, talented freshman, said Andrews.

"Chris (Baird) has a lot of talent and he’s inspired these older guys," said Andrews.

About the team’s aspirations for the this season, Andrews said, "They want to make it memorable."

The girls’ team at Agoura is hampered by a low body count.

"It’s going well, (but) we’ve just had a lower turnout of athletes this year, so that’s brought on a new challenge," said Andrews concerning the girls’ cross-country team at Agoura. "We’re struggling on the girls’ side to put together a team."

Some upperclassmen the Chargers were counting on didn’t come out for the cross-country team this season. Overall, Andrews is pleased with the effort of the two teams, despite the lack of veterans.

"We have a lot of good, enthusiastic freshmen, so on the other end, we’re strong," said Andrews, "that kind of balances things out."

About the new, young faces, Andrews is satisfied. "We have a lot of really nice kids that came out this year that are willing to work hard and are learning to love the sport," she said.