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Beckman’s boys cross country team with Coach Corey Schuld after winning the CIF title. (Photos courtesy Beckman athletics).
It was a memorable season for Beckman High School’s boys cross country team, which captured the first CIF title for the program and the first state title for the school in any sport, according to Athletic Director Steve Fischel.
“It’s been an amazing year,” said Coach Corey Schuld. “I’m definitely super proud of the kids, they’ve worked really hard. I give all the credit to the kids, they’ve put in a lot of work since June and they’ve been really meticulous about being consistent and working together and striving for team goals.
“There is no real magic, just a lot of hard work and a lot of consistency and a lot of sacrifice on their side definitely.”
Starting its championship run, Beckman took first place in the CIF Division 1 final at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, Nov. 23 with 83 points ahead of Great Oak. Mira Costa was second and Trabuco Hills third.
“The CIF race was definitely special moment for our program, it was our first CIF championship so we had guys like Anthony Barrera who raced very well and was kind of the back half of our lineup and really did a good job of stepping up and Nathan Horrock who was behind Anthony,” Schuld said.
“All in all, it was a team effort, what’s really special about our team is throughout the year, our athletes are pretty interchangeable as far as who can be first, second or third. It’s nice to have that depth on a team where teammates know they can rely on each other.”
It was a big jump for the program, which was fifth in the CIF finals last year, according to Schuld.
“We led the one mile, two mile and held on for mile three,” Schuld said. “This was a very tight race between Great Oak and Beckman. This was a true team effort where athletes rose to the occasion.”
Barrera, a senior, finished 13th overall and was first among Beckman runners with a time of 15.24.7 and “had an amazing race,” Schuld said.
Horrocks, also a senior, finished 14th overall and was second among Beckman runners with a time of 15.27.
“He worked very well staying with Anthony,” Schuld said.
Beckman’s third finisher was senior Aaron Feaster, who finished 17th overall with a time of 15:29.
“He had a clutch performance passing five opponents the last mile gaining crucial points for the team,” the coach added.
Patriots junior Christian Weber finished 24th overall and fourth among Beckman runners with a time of 15:34.9.
The remaining Beckman finishers were sophomore Ryan Barris who was 32nd overall in a time of 15:45.4; junior Mason Nguyen who was 48th overall in a time of 15:57.6; and senior Jude Tenorio who was 63rd in a time of 16:13.2
But Beckman wasn’t totally satisfied and went on to capture the CIF Division 1 State title a week later at Woodward Park in Fresno.
The Patriots took first with 139 points ahead of Bellarmine and Redondo.
“The kids did an amazing job winning the state championship,” Schuld said. “It was a tight race and they were closing on us rapidly.”
After the first mile and second mile, Beckman was in second place behind Redondo but in the third mile, the Patriots passed Redondo and captured the win, Schuld said.
The Patriots were led by Horrocks, who was 17th in a time of 15.27.5.
“He passed 17 people the last mile to help our team solidify the win,” Schuld said. “This was big. This was a remarkable achievement. he received third team all-state honors with the finish.”
Barrera was 18th with a time of 15.27.9.
“They (Horrocks and Barrera) ran together again. This week (in state finals) Nathan edged his buddy. He also received third team all state honors with this finish,” Schuld said.
Feaster was 22nd in a time of 15:31.2.
“Another amazing performance by Aaron,” the coach said. “He moved up six places the last mile to help our team solidify the win.”
Weber was 52nd in a time of 15:48.9, Barris was 64th in 15:54.3, Judge Tenorio was 81st in 16:02.4 and Mason Nguyen 112th in 16:17.2.
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—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
