by Breeanna Jent on 2013-10-03
Over 300 runners from Grand Terrace, Colton, Fontana and surrounding communities participated in the Cross Country Sunkist League First Cluster meet, the first such track event hosted by Grand Terrace High School (GTHS).
Runners in the junior varsity boys, junior varsity girls, and varsity boys and varsity girls teams from six schools including GTHS, Colton High School (CHS), Bloomington High School (BHS), Kaiser High School (KHS), Summit High School (SHS) and Fontana High School (FHS) ran the 3-mile race, which took runners around the GTHS track and through the school campus. Runners finished on the track.
GTHS head cross country coach Jean Wierenga said she planned the event every day for two weeks, and her goal was to make sure it was seamless. She said she felt that goal was reached.
“My inspiration was the kids. It’s always the kids. I wanted them to have a fun experience, because the sport itself is hard,” she said. “I also wanted it to be organized and run on time without any mishaps; I mean, without any kids going down or falling and getting hurt.”
Wierenga has spent the last 13 of her total 15 years teaching cross country. She also has nine years of experience in track and field. Before coming to GTHS, she was at Bloomington High School for a number of years.
Ray Ramirez is a 7-year Grand Terrace resident who sat in the bleachers that afternoon in support of his two children, both GTHS students, Megan (11th grade) and Michael (9th grade). Megan, a regular community theater performer and GTHS choir member, led the audience in the National Anthem. Michael is a freshman varsity runner who also enjoys playing other endurance sports, like soccer and baseball, said Ramirez.
“I think it’s great they’re getting the benefit of the high school experience and they’re enjoying it,” Ramirez said of his children.
Bloomington took first place in the Boys Varsity division with a score of 36; the Bruins were followed by Fontana High School, with 39; Colton High School, with 79; Grand Terrace, with 100; Summit High School, with 129; and Kaiser with 132.
Summit High School led in the Girls Varsity division, with a score of 38. Grand Terrace followed in second with 52; Fontana with 54; Bloomington with 87; Kaiser with 118; and Colton with 165.