Story by Nicholas Salgado
Staff Writer
WALNUT–The Lady Lancers Cross Country Team failed to qualify for CIF Finals last weekend when they placed ninth in their heat at the Division 3 CIF Southern Section Prelims at Mt. San Antonio College.
However, freshman Emily Hubert qualified for CIF Finals as an individual by placing fourth in her heat by running the rain-shortened 2.91-mile course in 17 minutes and 35 seconds.
“Emily Hubert is a top Southern California performer at this point,” said Coach Dan Lodolo. “She is coming on at the right time of the year and has better than a 50-50 chance of making it to the California State meet as a ninth grader.”
Coach Lodolo said the girls had to overcome some major obstacles this season, but won three invitationals this year, including the major Stanford Invitational.
Next fall, the girls will return with all but their No. 2 runner, senior Elizabeth Navarette, an All-Del Rey League athlete, who Coach Lodolo said did a “remarkable job” this season.
Freshman Hubert, sophomore Pamela Tenorio, and juniors Savannah Fimbres, Karina Garnica and Vivien Arredondo all return.
While the girls who didn’t make CIF will train with clubs and race in various meets in the off-season, the immediate focus turns to Hubert, who runs this Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College at 9:45 a.m.
“I think Emily has so much potential, more than she even knows she is capable of,” Arredondo said.
But all Hubert is expecting is to do her best.
“I expect to do well, but whatever happens I had a successful season for the most part and I still have more cross country seasons coming in my high school career,” she said.
