Channel Islands’ boys and girls have already had historic seasons, thanks in part to their top runners, Isaiah Slagboom and Maria Texis.

Slagboom, a junior, led CI to the Pacific View League title at last Friday’s PVL Finals at College Park. His time on the 3-mile course was 15 minutes, 49 seconds, good for 5th place. His best time this year is 15:48.

The Raiders edged Ventura 43 points to 45 points to take the title. Closely following Slagboom were Bryan Sanchez (15:51, 6th place); Edgar Perez (16:00, 8th); Bryan Navarette (16:16, 11th) and Kevin Tapia (16:29, 13th).

Both the boys and girls’ teams, led by coaches Mr. Miguel Galindo and Mr. Tom Voshell, are competing in the CIF prelims today in Riverside.

Slagboom said that his goals are to get a time below 15 minutes and qualify for the CIF finals. He was motivated to get into running by his sister. His practice routine consists of listening to music, he said.

After cross country season ends, Slagboom plans on running in track and field.

Texis, a junior, led the Raiders to a third-place finish in the PVL and a spot in CIF. She placed second at the PVL final with a time of 18:50.

Also scoring for the Lady Raiders were Alejandra Audelo (20:50, 16th); Melissa Ramirez (21:04, 18th); Marisol Munoz (21:13, 19th); and Eveylin Castro (21:19, 21st).

In CIF, Texis plans to place in the top 20, which is very hard, and improve her time by getting closer to 17 minutes.

On the weekends, she goes to the park and cross trains with her siblings. Also, running on the weekends to keep in condition.

Texis, got into running when she was younger and would see her dad run marathons. Her brother would challenge her at running which made her very competitive from a young age. In middle school her coach recommended she do track and field and cross country in high school.  Her freshman year, her best time was 19.22; since then she has improved greatly, and she plans to improve more next year. Her time at league finals was a personal best.

After cross country season, she plans on doing track and field. Texis plans on continuing doing cross country and track and field in college and university and then to keep running marathons after high school ends.