Lennox High School - Troubadour Yearbook (Lennox, CA)

Page 23 text:

Varsity runners Stride to CIF Strengthened by the return of five experienced runners from last year’s squad, the varsity cross country team started their season with an excellent chance to win a Pioneer League championship. Strong performances by Culver City and Inglewood and a close one point loss to the El Segundo Eagles brought an end to these dreams. However, under the careful guidance of new coach Dennis James, the Lancers placed third in the league and then went on to the league finals, where they qualified for the CIF pre- lims. Top runner for LHS was Leroy Collins, who placed third at the league meet. Two other standouts were Ricardo Gonzalez and Willie Alvarico. Throughout the season strong support was given by Raul Ponce, Eloy Soto, Sergio Yepez, and John Alcala. Award recipients for the year were Leroy Collins, out- Standing runner; Willie Alvarico, coach’s award; and Ricardo Gonzalez, most inspirational. Chosen as tri-captains were veteran runners Raul Ponce, Leroy Collins, and Ricardo Gon- zalez. VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY SCOREBOARD LHS Opponent 24 Leuzinger 34 28 El Segundo a 33 Culver City 22 21 Harvard 34 31 Inglewood 25 17 Centennial 48 20 Lawndale 39 3rd place Pioneer League finals C.F: Prelims (Low. score wins) VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY—Kneeling: Sergio Ye- pez, Willie Alvarico. Back: Eloy Soto, John Alcala, Leroy Collins, Raul Ponce, Ricardo Gonzalez, Al- bert Sosa. And carried by a proud squad is the new coach and friend, Dennis James. iss Country Cross Country Cross Country Cross Country) Page sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Collins 19

Page 22 text:

Step-for-step Raul Ponce (1) keeps up with the El Se- gundo competition. The Lancer’s outstanding runner Leroy Collins (2) fights off another opponent. Willie Al- varico (3) has his eye on another victory, while his team- mate Eloy Soto (4) concentrates on a strong finish. Ser- gio Yepez (5) leads the pack to turn in yet another fine race. The Lancer victory squad! (6) Experienced com- petitor Ricardo Gonzalez (7) strides away from the op- position to help the locals chalk up a great season. 18 Cross Country

Page 24 text:

Young runners show promise Although none of the members of the 1979 JV cross country squad had ever run competitively, this inexperience presented little problem in achieving a successful season. Capitalizing on the strength of undefeated League champion Aaron Pratt and their will to excel, the JV’s captured second place honors in the Pioneer League standings. Head coach Dennis James, who had the job of keeping his novice runners motivated through the low points of the season, was a key factor in the team’s fine over-all performance. 1. Lancers gang up to pass Centennial opponent. 2. JV champ Aaron Pratt celebrates a great season. 3. JV CROSS COUNTRY TEAM—(L to R) Mario Espinosa, Jorge Heredia, David Saenz, Aaron Pratt, Fernando Peraza. Mario Espinosa (4) shows the spirit that made LHS a top contender for a CIF berth. 20 Cross Country