On Nov. 19, Pierce College hosted the L.A. Unified Cross Country Finals. Only 12 out of more than 140 teams reached the finals. Uni’s Girls Varsity Team was among these 12 elite squads; a three-mile race would determine which teams qualified for the CIF State Championships. The runners got on their marks, got set and took off after a gunshot. The six-lap-3-mile race had the Uni runners racing at their best; Senior Cassandra Menendez strongly led Uni throughout the race despite a recent injury. After the second lap, the strongest runners went up to the lead and maintained the advantage throughout the race. Bystanders screamed and yelled in an effort to boost their team’s encouragement. Everyrunner’s durability was tested, but pain was ignored as the runners ferociously continued their race. Despite Uni’s efforts, the team came a long way; they qualified for the finals and defeated many teams along the way. Uni beat Palisades, Venice and the all the teams in the city finals preliminary race. An early rain made initial running course muddy and dangerous; a last minute decision determined that the race would be run in a paved road rather than in the dirt hills of Pierce College. Uni’s runners and Coach Kelly Aguda were not pleased at all with the change. “It’s horrible; this course is horrible... with mud slips [that] pull your muscles in wrong directions,” said Aguda. Even so, the paved road was just as slippery as the muddy hills. Runners who were in the lead could slip and lose several precious seconds in their running time. “This girl fell right in front of me in the final shoot,” said Senior Vanessa Mendez. Athletes ferociously raced each other to reach the finish line. “There was a lot of elbowing—[the course was] too narrow,” said Senior Bieni Cruz. The youngest members of the Cross Country Team, Alma Lopez (10th grade), Kimberley Salazar and Miriam Diied (both 11th grade) had an invaluable experience competing in City Finals. “I feel proud that I’m faster than last year... but...I can improve,” said Diied. “[There were] lots of good people running, lots of super-fast amazing people,” said Lopez. The 2010 Cross Country season has ended but it won’t be forgotten.