With the beginning of a new year riding in on the Islands, sports have already begun to capture the attention of the CIHS Raiders. During the rise of the fall sports, a spotlight is definitely being lit on the Channel Islands very own girls’ cross country team.

Already reaching top marks during the team’s first few meets, these girls are leaving their footprints on Channel Islands High School’s 50- year history.

For most of CI’s running history, the girl’s cross country and track, the team has always shown great pride in the sport only to reach minimal success. But all of that changed with the introduction of a brand new team.

“These girls are extremely dedicated, extremely driven, goal-orientated, and have made huge improvement,” said Miguel Galindo, the team’s coach.

There is no arguing with that fact. With only a handful of matches under the girls’ belts, they have already managed to surpass Channel Islands’ expectations and are quickly coming to be recognized as the school’s best girls cross country team in its 50-year existence.

In the league’s  first school vs. school meet, five of our Lady Raider runners were able to place in the top ten. Andrea Contreras placed first, followed by Victoria Almanza and Ana Barbosa. The order was intercepted by a girl from Rio Mesa, but that didn’t stop the team’s drive for success and continued on with Jacqueline Reyes, Jailene Piña, and Yamilet Garcia.

“There is always that one girl who is better and I want to get that extra mile to beat,” team captain Andrea Contreras said  about her motivation for her success in the sport.

True to her word, in an earlier match, Contreras, along with Barbosa and Reyes were able to shave time off their previous 2015 times.

Amassing a long list of accomplishments, sisters Victoria and Valerie Almanza are also setting the bar.

During the Division 1 section finals last year, Victoria Almanza managed to place 11th against other competitors and Valerie amazingly was able to run right into a spot for a state-wide meet.

As a team, the girls became Pacific View League champions in the 2015 year, the first girls cross country team to win league since 1992. It’s incredible given that all of these girls began running in high school and managed to emerge as number one against others teams whose members have been competing and training all of their lives, Coach Galindo said.

Top universities have been giving the team serious attention. The Almanza twins, along with Contreras, have all received an offer as well a fully paid trip to visit Chico State University, a school that has earned top rankings in cross country.

“Being team captain motivates me to do better,” Contreras said. “I want to be a role model. I don’t just want universities to look at me, I want my teammates to look at me too.”

Through all of the their achievement, the girls’ modesty peaks through the limelight. The team shares a close bond that motivates them to work together as a team and not individually.

Together, they share a goal of going to state and placing amongst the top ranks.

This team has already made huge success for themselves this early in the year. With the rest of the season ahead, these girls will definitely be making it one for the books.