Calabasas' cross-country teams turn the corner to respectability

Thanks to a new coach and an improved attitude from its runners, Calabasas' cross-country teams are looking to have a big impact in the Marmonte League this year.

After limited success in recent seasons, head coach Donna Watts was brought on last year to guide the boys' and girls' squads for the Coyotes. According to the teams' runners, the change has been posi- tive for CHS.

"When I first came onto this team my freshmen year it was a mess," senior Michelle Petitfls said. "It's been a lot more orga- nized with her. She's been able to get more involvement with our team. With Donna here, it seems that there are only people on this team that want to be here."

Runners on the boys' team seem to agree that Watts has helped guide the Coyotes in the proper direction.

"It seems to have gone from a rag-tag group to one big family," junior Clayton Graham said. "She has stressed that it's more impor- tant to run smart this year so we reach our peak at the end of the year. It seems that we have been losing in the past because we have not been training right. Now that has changed."

The girls' team is led by Petitfls, junior Ashley Gentry and freshman Jordan Bricker. The boys' team's headed by Graham, senior Kyle Leibovitch and new- comer Aaron Kurland. Kurland was formerly a soccer player un- til this summer when he decided to commit to running full-time.

"I fell in love with running when I was training for soccer," Kurland said. "I switched over from soccer last summer. I think we're going to have a great team this year and I'm looking forward to being a part of the program for the next couple years."

Many of the runners have shared Kurland's passion for cross country this season. Some are waking up as early as 5 a.m. to run before school. The morning runs usually last approximately 45 min- utes, and when combined with the teams' practices in the afternoon, the Coyotes can log as much as nine miles in a single day.

"I think by doing the two-a- days it really shows the other kids on this team that if you want to be good at something, you are going to really have to practice hard in order to get it," Kurland said.

The hard work is something Watts has been impressed with so far this season.

"We have a lot of talented boys and girls that have been working very hard," Watts said. "I'm hop- ing that the hard work helps us with good results during the year."

Recently, Calabasas performed well at its meet in Woodbridge.

"Eight of our 10 players re- ceived medals, so I think that will give us more confidence," Gen- try said. "We basically need to work as a team and learn how to win again."

Leibovitch said he has seen a gradual change in mood over the past three to four years and would like nothing more than to end his senior year on a good note.

"The league is very competi- tive, but we just have to worry about running our own race," Leibovitch said. "If everyone on our team runs their best race at the same time, then our wins will come this year."