MVXC at Monterey Bay in 2014
Sadly, Monta Vista Cross Country is not going to compete at the Mt. SAC Invitational in Los Angeles in 2017. We have competed at Mt. SAC for the last six years but this year, there is major construction on the site. While the meet will go on–and it will probably still be a great race, the meet organizers are extremely professional–your coaches have concerns that this will not quite be the amazing experience we have had in the past. Competing at Mt. SAC requires athletes to miss a complete day of school, and is a significant cost for parents. We don’t want to do that for a possibly mediocre experience, we don’t think that is respectful of parents’ money and student-athletes’ time and priorities. Therefore we are going to cancel the trip to Los Angeles/Mt. SAC Invitational for 2017.
To replace this meet, MVXC have registered for the Monterey Bay Invitational on Saturday, October 14, at Toro Park. Attendance at the Monterey Bay Invitational will be optional (but highly encouraged) for MVXC athletes. Here are some highlights and notes to consider:
- We will running at the Toro Park course twice (Earlybird and Monterey Bay), one month apart. This will be a great opportunity to see the improvement you get from a month of training and racing experience.
- Varsity athletes will have a chance to become very familiar with the Toro Park course before the sectional championships in November. Knowing the course will help your confidence a lot when you get on the line and wait for the gun to fire at CCS.
- Last time we competed at Monterey Bay in 2014, MVXC tore it up: The varsity girls held off visiting West Torrance, a SoCal power, by less than 20 points for the meet championship while the boys took a strong seventh place (West Torrance won the championship). The boys went on to take 6th in CCS that year while the girls’ team finished 2nd.
A couple things to note.
- First, the PSAT is held the same week, and Monta Vista will be holding PSAT testing on the same Saturday the 14th. If you plan on taking the PSAT this year, it is possible to take the PSAT on Wednesday at a different school (yes, you will miss some class that week, but you will miss less than if we were heading to Los Angeles). You or your parents need to arrange to take the PSAT at another school (I quickly looked and found that both Prospect and Palo Alto high school are offering the PSAT on Wednesday but I don’t know if they are letting students from other schools take the test there, you will need to check around). If you want to take the PSAT this year AND compete at Monterey Bay, you need to figure this out right away.
- Parents, we will be organizing a ride pool for that day. Because this meet is going to be ‘optional’ we don’t expect to have all 100 athletes to attend (but who knows?). If you know your student-athlete wants to race here, please consider helping to drive!
While Monterey Bay replaces the lost meet on the schedule, it is difficult to replace the intangible ‘bonding’ of an overnight trip to compete. However, your coaches are working on that plan too. Stay tuned!
Thank you for being understanding. Keep your motivation high, this is still a great season and we are just getting started. Here is hoping that MVXC is back in Los Angeles for Mt. SAC in 2018!
You may print out a new copy of the schedule that reflects these changes.
Don’t forget…team photos on Monday, September 18 so remember to bring your uniform (singlet and shorts–you don’t need your jacket and pants) to school and wear your uniform to practice! Put this on a calendar alarm–and parents, please help your athlete remember (and get gear washed after the Saturday race). Let’s all be ready to look our best!
Be-medalled varsity girls after Monterey Bay in 2014