Nevers, Oak Park get second in state

Acorn Staff Writer


Mark Nevers, the best long distance runner in Oak Park history, will never be second best in his coach’s eyes.


Nevers came in second behind winner Ryan Hall of Big Bear at last week’s state high school cross country championships in Fresno, but the Oak Park senior is still number one in the opinion of Eagle Coach Kevin Smith.


"Mark did everything you could imagine," Smith said. "He was a phenomenal team leader and he won the CIF Sportsmanship Award."


Nevers ran the 5,000-meter course in a personal best 15 minutes 28 seconds, but Hall, also a senior, finished in 14:50 to win his second consecutive Division IV title.


Nevers came in second at the state meet in 1998 and third in 1999.


Oak Park, which won its first CIF boys’ title two weeks ago behind Nevers, finished second in the boys’ team standings. McFarland of Delano came in first.


In six trips to the state meet since 1991, it was Oak Park’s best overall performance.


Hall has been Nevers’ nemesis throughout high school, but that should be nothing to be ashamed of, said Smith.


"They’re talking about [Hall] in terms and words that were reserved for Jim Ryun and Marti Liquori 30 years ago," Smith said. "They’re talking about a guy that folks suspect may break the four minute mile this year."


Freshman Lauren Morales, Oak Park’s only individual girl to compete at state, came in a surprising fifth place with a time of 19:02.


Smith said he was amazed Morales did so well without the support of her teammates.


"The best thing is the way she handled the race as a freshman," Smith said. "It is such a daunting experience to go out there that first time. She ran without any teammates and to not have them there was really critical."


Smith said Morales got a slow start, but came on strong.


"When Lauren came through the mile, she was 25th. At the mile and- a-half, she was 11th, and at two miles she was fifth. She just absolutely exploded. She really redeemed herself over that second mile."


Morales, Nevers and Agoura’s Laura Jakosky, who finished sixth in the Division II girls’ final with an 18:10, advance to the Footlocker Western Regionals this weekend.


The top eight finishers in the regionals advance to the high school national meet in Florida.





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