OPHS cross country team making holiday plans

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers TALKIN' SHOP- Oak Park boys' cross country teammates Garrison Gourdeau, left, and Evan Hennessey warm up for a recent practice. This Thanksgiving, Oak Park High boys' cross country head coach Kevin Smith is hoping his team will be passing more than just the gravy.

While most people will be sitting at a table enjoying the traditional fixin's, Smith has other plans for his Eagle squad. Once again, OPHS fields a top team that will look to be in Fresno on the November holiday, running in the CIF State Championships in Woodward Park.

"Our goal every year is the same," Smith said. "We want to be in Fresno on Thanksgiving competing for a state championship. That doesn't change this year."

Oak Park has started out on the right track with a 5-0 record, 1-0 in league play. Last season the Eagles won the TriValley League championship and placed 10th in Fresno. Meanwhile, it's been five years since OPHS took the state title in 2002, and the team is looking to take its crown back.

"We talk about going to state a lot," sophomore James Goldstein said. "That being said, our first goal is always the one in front of us. We don't take any of our opponents in league for granted, and we treat all of them with respect."

Goldstein is one of many runners returning to the Eagles from last season. Besides the sophomore, seniors Cooper Claus, Garrison Gourdeau and Evan Hennessey are back to make another run at a state title. Hennessey recently ran a personal-best time of 11 minutes, 54 seconds at a 2.2 mile course in Mammoth.

"Evan is very dedicated, sometimes too much," Smith said with a laugh. "It's kind of paralysis by analysis. He thinks himself into trouble by over analyzing. Mentally, he's doing a much better job this season. He put in a lot of hard work by running a lot of miles over the summer, and it's definitely paid off for him."

Smith also had many good things to say about Gourdeau and Goldstein.

"Garrison, for three years, has been right at the top for us," Smith said. "He's got a fiery spirit, and he loves competing and fears nothing.

"James is probably our leader as far as performance up front. He's not as vocal as some of the seniors, but he shows his leadership physically with his performances."

Goldstein's performances lately include placing second overall during last week's Clovis Invitational- a meet both the OPHS boys' and girls' teams won- and winning the individual championship at La Reina two weeks ago.

Goldstein said being a little more familiar with the high school competition has helped him in his sophomore year.

"Cross country is a little easier this year," Goldstein said. "I know I am closer with the seniors, and I believe the freshmen have some respect for me as well.

"It's more like a family this season, and it's nice knowing that there aren't seven better guys I'd rather run with than the ones on this team. I'll take the seven we've got over anyone."

Other runners contributing for the Eagles this season include seniors Scott Barnum, Curtis Liang and Doug Bettisworth. Juniors Adam Kinberg, Gareth Morl and Aaron Kurland should be a factor as well.

"The team is really starting to come together," Smith said. "I think they are buying in to the system a little more than teams have in the past."

Claus admits the team is doing a better job of jelling in '07.

"As a group, we are working better this season," Claus said. "We run better in small groups when racing because we tend to push each other a little more that way."

Although the team believes it is capable of winning a state championship, Smith is making sure Oak Park doesn't get ahead of itself.

"I really don't pay much attention to our wins and losses at this point of the year," Smith said. "Right now we are in the process of getting better as a team. You go through many phases. Some of them are baby steps, some of them are big leaps. As long as we keep making the steps accordingly, we are going to be in a position to be competing with the best."