Written By Daniel Holscher, Editor In Chief
As the 2025-2026 Season of Cross Country narrows into CIF, Mt. Sac serves as a key milestone of success and work ethic among the team.
“A Fresh Start”
All of the boys and girls on the Cross Country team have been running six days a week, every week, since August. Some have even been running since the beginning of June! Under the discretion of a new coach after four years of consistency has challenged the teams’ adaptability and running drive. Many athletes have had to step up their game when it comes to race times to strengthen the team as a whole after losing many valuable seniors from years past. Kien Biggs is a Senior on the team who has been running all four years of his high school career, taking his passion into his own hands to reinforce his running for the better. “The summer between 10th and 11th grade I did a ton of research on training. This science behind aerobic training and application to my runs” he started. “Our team is pretty strong and there are no flaws that can’t be fixed. Learning to “relax” while I run has entirely improved my running career.” Biggs is just one example of the extraordinary work ethic the athletes have had to take on this year. Andrew Melendrez, a new Freshman on the team has also been off to a great start this season. “I knew I would have to prepare mentally to increase my miles as opposed to the mileage I ran at middle school levels” he started. “The increased competition strain keeps the experience fun and challenging,” he noted. As the first few races of the season started, Poly Cross Country settled into a productive rhythm that has been leading their victories throughout the season.
(Picture Courtesy Of Mr. Schiller).
“The Fun Begins”
Going into Cool Breeze and League Meet #1 was the staple foundation for Poly Cross Country as they made their way up in the rankings. Jace Deledone (12), the star athlete of Poly’s Cross Country team for four consecutive years completely demolished the Sundown Showdown race of the night – the highest race in terms of competitiveness- and granted the Poly team a strong start to their opening season. “I just went for it, there’s nothing else to it- I kinda just went through it” Jace Deledone explained. “I’ve been working hard all summer, knowing there would be some good competition here, so I gave it my best shot”. As Cool Breeze wrapped up for the night, Poly swept both of the next two league meets during their debut, showing the league how hard their training has been paying off.
(Picture Courtesy Of Mr. Schiller).
Olivia Bollanbach (12), another emerging star of the XC team has been crushing her season as she moves through the meets with a heavy ambitious drive. At the XC meet Woodbridge, one of the largest in the nation, Oliva placed 11th in her race with a time of 17:16:90! (That’s about 5:45 for each mile!). “Ending last season I knew I wanted to up my drive to perform my absolute best this year. So far all of my races have been great and as captain of the girls team I am able to spread my motivation among all of the girls here on the team” Olivia stated. Poly Cross Country was off to an amazing start. With two league meets down, they only had Mount Sac as the beast to slay: A four decade old Cross Country course that serves as yearly tradition for cross country running in the High School division. Every school from the surrounding areas imaginable attend and competition is fierce. “Going into this year I think I was more than ready for my last debut on this course”, Emilio Scott, a Senior on the XC team expressed.“ Morale was high and we all ran our races pretty well, a great start when it comes to entering into CIF Pre-lims.” As the last of the big invitationals fade into the rear view, CIF becomes the main focus for the future of the Poly XC Team.
(Picture Courtesy Of Mr. Schiller).
“THAT, Time Of Year”
“Things are actually looking pretty good this year for both of our boy and girl teams” Noah Ramirez (12) stated. “Once we sweep this last league meet we will have the fend off in CIF Pre-lims to advance to CIF Finals, which we always usually do.” Things are looking up as the Poly XC team dips into taper mode for the final stretch of the season. CIF season has arrived and all 14 Varsity boys and girls combined are determined to fight for the title of CIF champions. “The goal is to reach State level” Ares gres (11) explained. “That’s always gonna be our main goal.” As we reach into the Month of November the Cross Country team has two new challenges on their hands. November means the possibility of freezing temps, a new change from the thrill of 90’s heat waves during the first three quarters of the season, and a time change, forcing the runners to adapt to the earlier setting sun and circadian rhythm. “It’s a bit of a struggle at first” Wyatt Holmes (12) started. “But we all push through. Especially during CIF practices, we all rekindle each other’s spirit and pride.” With CIF closely approaching, the boys and girls are fully prepared to run their hearts out as they compete at a more intensely catered level of running. The team has been training all summer for these pivotal meets as a team, and will do whatever it takes to earn their rightful title in the realm of running. Thank you Poly Cross Country, for all of the time you spend running your hearts out for the good of the team, and Poly High School as a whole. We wish you all the best on your endeavors to the State level this year! Go bears!
