With both boys’ and girls’ cross country looking to improve upon successful seasons last year, they will also have to adjust to a new format of running along with stronger competition.

This fall, there will be no more final kicks in dual meets or the classic showdowns between rivalry schools.

The Century League has added both Esperanza High School and Foothill High School, while Tustin High School has left the league.

With the addition of these new teams, both cross country programs will now have to compete differently than they have in years past.

The Century League has eliminated dual meets this season, so there is no more one-on-one competition.

“This system is beneficial to our team. Unfortunately, dual meets really wear on the varsity guys. The mental and physical stress is a lot to endure. By eliminating dual meets, we can train more effectively, because we can space out hard workouts easily, and we do not have to take as many “down” days either,” said Jeremy Mattern, boys’ cross country head coach.

Runners’ performances will be based on invitational meets this fall, competing against a larger number of schools in each meet.

“I like the new format better because you get to run against more people so it creates a more competitive atmosphere. At invites, you also get to focus more on improving your individual times,” said Kristen Park, sophomore.

Cody Nguyen, junior, added, “The invitationals are beneficial to our team because the races have better competition which makes for better individual performances.”

Along with all the invitational meets, both programs have already competed in their first and only league meet of the season which was the Century League Preview at Irvine Park.

At this meet, every school in the league raced against each other at the same time, which is referred to as a “championship style” format. The team results from this league preview, counted for one-third of each of the team’s final league standings.
Everything else for the cross country programs comes down to League Finals, Nov. 3 at Yorba Regional. League Finals will count for two-thirds of each team’s final standing.

However, capturing the championship will take a special group of runners as both Esperanza and Foothill enter the league as powerhouse cross country teams.

The Century League might be the most competitive girls’ league in Southern California in terms of depth as Esperanza, Foothill, and Canyon went fourth, fifth, and sixth in last years’ state meet.

As for the boys’ program, they will have to compete against Nathaniel Cushing-Murray, one of the top Orange County runners, who will lead Foothill. Esperanza also brings in tremendous talent to the league and will be the Wildcats toughest competitor this season.

“We are not going to worry about anyone else. You have to respect everyone, but we cannot control what they do,” said Mattern.

Success will be the goal for both cross country programs this fall as they adjust to the new format of running along with competing against Esperanza High School and Foothill High School in the Century League.