A Hot Time Trial-Updated

On a sunny, hot Thursday afternoon at Stevens Canyon Park, the Monta Vista Cross Country team had their first hard race-like effort of the 2011 season in the traditional Monta Vista Watermelon Run.

Eighty-eight runners were on the line that Coach Sullivan drew in the dirt at the start of the course that Monta Vista has used for years to open our season and shake off the summer rust.  After a cheer that scared birds out of the trees, the runners were off and headed towards Matadors’ Point.

Monta Vista coaches all agreed that everyone on the team put in a great effort.  The first boy to finish was Takuto Doshiro, followed closely by freshman Emilio Torres and Kevin Bishop, the most outstanding track athlete from last season.  Freshman sensation Jenny Xu was the first girl to cross the finish line, followed by Bridget Gottlieb, and by senior Pearl Law, who is running cross country for the first time.

Following the time trial, the team demolished 12 watermelons; it was not a pretty sight!  Ryan Bishop appears to already be in mid-season form as he was the unofficial (and self-proclaimed) leader in watermelon consumption.

Congratulations to all the MV Runners!  Everyone looked good and everyone put in a strong effort.  It was a hard day for the first run, and the Watermelon course has a couple of mean hills to manage; this is not an easy way to start the season!  For many of you, this was your first time running this hard for so long!  You should all be proud of yourselves–your coaches are proud of you!

Thank you to everyone who helped out, especially MV Alum Mike O’Dell, class of 2011, who was back to run the ‘finish chute’ for the race, and coach’s wife Suanne Flatow, who picked up the watermelons, chopped them up, and handed out shirts.

The 2011 team’s performance stands up well against MV teams of the past; in particular, the 2011 girls top 5 aggregate time is the fastest Monta Vista has seen since 2006.  Great job, everyone!  Keep up the good work–your hard work and talent is already showing results!

Below are the results from the Watermelon Run 2011.

Monta Vista Watermelon Run 2011