Oak Park girls win third state title

PACKING IT IN-Oak Park's girls' cross country team, which won its third consecutive state title, under head coach Kevin Smith, untilized a narrow "gap" between its no.1 and no.5 runners, to achieve success during the 2003 championship season. The Eagles made history by winning again.

The Oak Park girls’ cross country team won its third straight state championship this season.

The Eagles, with 58 points, defeated San Lorenzo (167), Riverbank (178), Orange Lutheran (184), and Piedmont (199 for fifth place). La Reina of Thousand Oaks finished 13th with 326 points.

After having won two consecutive state titles, Oak Park was the team to beat at Woodward Park in Fresno, the site of the state championships.

"You felt like you were walking around with a target on your back all year," said Oak Park head coach Kevin Smith. "Everyone was pointing at you, saying, ‘They’re the ones to beat.’"

Smith said each of the three state championships was unique.

The first one, in 2001, was a "giddy ride. A blast," he said. "The expectations weren’t there and we were kind of living a fantasy or a dream, and that made it very special."

With the second title in 2002 came lofty expectations from being defending champs.

"‘Oh my goodness, I hope we don’t screw it up,’" Smith said with a laugh. "We were working hard but feeling the pressure."

The third title, most recently, was impressive because of his team’s incredible focus, said Smith.

"The athletes were able to stay in the moment," he said, "something we’ve always tried to teach. There’s nothing you can change outside of your own behavior, your own training. Try not to be influenced or pressured by outside forces. The team has had a miraculous resiliency."

In the state championships at Woodward Park in Fresno, Oak Park utilized its penchant for running in a pack as its top five finishers were within 43 seconds of each other.

Tatiana Camacho (19:04), Allison Banks (19:16), Kelly Yahr (19:27), Kelsey Connor (19:41) and Lauren Morales (19:47) were the Eagles top five finishers with Hailey Swartz (20:13) and Ashley Stalzer (20:19) finishing sixth and seventh.

His team’s depth, Smith said, was again was the key factor.

"It’s something I’ve seen for so many years with these girls," he said. "I’ve come to be able to count on it."

Running their final cross country race was Morales, Banks, Yahr, Swartz and Katie Hudson, all seniors. Back next year will be juniors Camacho and Deirdre Coleman, and sophomores Connor, Stalzer and Gillian Chow.

Smith said his core of coaches will return next year as the girls try for a fourth straight state crown. That includes boys’ head coach J.J. Castner, Jodi Fabrizio, Donna Connor, Gloria Rios, Ken Brook Sr., Rick Goldman and Al Calce.

The coaches are a source of inspiration for the Oak Park runners, said Smith, but the drive to succeed also comes from within.

"The source of motivation a lot of these kids derive is intrinsic," Smith said. "They see the rewards of their own hard work, they reap that."

Morales ran solo at the state meet as a freshman. A lot has changed since then.

"I ran individually freshman year," Morales said. "But I got to finish it off with my team my senior year. We all had a common goal and we all were driven towards that. It was cool to finish your senior year like that. I’m so proud of my teammates. They picked it up that day."

Morales is getting ready for track season and will run cross country in college, though she doesn’t know where. Banks will also run cross country next year. She hopes the current seniors helped instill a love for running.

"Our team isn’t about wanting to win, it’s about loving to run," Banks said, "and running for our team. I see the dedication in the younger girls, their dedication to the team. I think that’s something that will continue here for a long time. We have something special at our school."

Banks said cross country is truly a team sport.

"Every day in practice we make each other better," she said. "And in races we pick up for each other and watch out for each other. We’re continuously working together as a team. There would be no way we could accomplish such incredible things without every member of the team contributing.

"Down to the last runner, the spirit and enthusiasm they bring are key."