Young at the heart of Oak Park’s cross country success

Senior has been on the fast track since joining girls’ team


LATE BLOOMER—Oak Park High senior Taelor Young didn’t start running cross country until her junior season. A year later, she’s one of the top competitors on the team. The 5-foot-3 speedster carries a 3.83 grade-point average and hopes to become a teacher.

LATE BLOOMER—Oak Park High senior Taelor Young didn’t start running cross country until her junior season. A year later, she’s one of the top competitors on the team. The 5-foot-3 speedster carries a 3.83 grade-point average and hopes to become a teacher.

Move over Roy Hobbs. Taelor Young is the real Natural.

The Oak Park High senior tried out for the girls’ cross country team last year so she could spend more time with her friend, Kristen Liang.

Today, Young is one of the fastest Eagles. And she’s getting better every day.

Young never raced before or even enjoyed running much. When she ran the mile in eighth grade, she staggered to the finish line in more than 10 minutes.

“I was not a runner,” Young said.

She sure is now.

In a few short months, the rookie worked her way into the starting lineup and joined Oak Park at the 2009 state meet in Clovis.

At this year’s season-opening Seaside Invitational, Young improved her time by an astounding 90 seconds from last year’s jaunt. At last week’s Oak Park Invitational, she finished third overall in 20 minutes, 12 seconds.

What’s her recipe for success?

It’s nothing groundbreaking. She listens to her coaches, works hard and has a positive attitude.

“Most days I run with the kids,” said co-head coach Steve Kilroy, a former cross country standout for Moorpark College and Humboldt State.

“I remember one run with Taelor—it was early in the summer. We were passing guys. It kind of blew me away. . . .

“It is amazing what she’s doing, based on this only being her second year.”

Marc Minasian, who shares head coaching duties with Kilroy, noted Young’s work ethic.

“She comes to work every day,” Minasian said. “She’s always so consistent. She always hits her times and is always encouraging the other girls.”

Young is improving her cross country craft.

“I’ve definitely become stronger and faster,” she said. “I’m definitely seeing improvement.”

The Eagle has enjoyed being a part of the team and making more friends.

“I like spending time with everyone,” Young said. “They’re positive, happy and silly. We hang out after practice.”

At 5-foot-3, she took punishment on the basketball hardwood and turned to cross country after two seasons playing hoops.

Liang never expected Young’s meteoric rise in cross country.

“None of us had ever seen her run,” Liang said.

“She just came out of nowhere and was really fast. She does everything she’s asked and she has a competitive drive. She won’t let anyone get her down.”

Young carries a 3.83 gradepoint average and takes honors courses in Spanish, calculus and physics. She’s thinking about applying at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks.

She’d like to be high school teacher, either in history, Spanish or physical education. Perhaps she’d even coach cross country.

“If they’d take me as a coach,” said the modest yet gifted Young.

The senior has been involved in the Red Cross Club on campus, and she enjoys reading the Harry Potter novels. Sweet potatoes and Boca burgers are among her favorite foods.

Young, who lives with her grandparents Maureen and Steve, tried to convince her sister Graelin to give cross country a try. Graelin Young is a sophomore soccer player. Her youngest sister, Shaeli, 9, also plays soccer.

The Eagle pointed out that she wouldn’t be where she’s at without her coaches, including former head coach Kevin Smith, who retired last year.

“I really appreciate what Coach Smith did for me,” Young said. “He was really supportive and helped get me into the sport and understand things. He spent extra time with me. He’d listen to me, even if it was something other than cross country or if I had a problem. . . .

“The new coaches are great. They didn’t let the program die. They’re doing a good job with us—you can tell by our times. We’re all improving. And the program is still fun.”

Eagles to watch
Young fortifies a solid girls’ squad paced by senior Kaycee Holcomb. Kelsey Watters, Brittany Stalzer, Kendall Engelhardt and Candace Matsunaga also lead the ladies.

Michael Tucker, James Anderson, Blake Minasian, Patrick Thedinga, Andrew Khaw, Kevin Fernandez and Ryan Zelada bolster a deep boys’ team. Freshmen Sean O’Bryan, Alex Durel, Abhishek Bhutada and Sahm Bazargan provide depth.

Several assistant coaches help out Marc Minasian and Kilroy, who assisted at Oaks Christian a season ago.

Christina Lightfoot, Greg Parrone and Michele Zeolla support the Eagles’ coaching staff.

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