Following in the footsteps of Leuzinger cross country runner Jose Lezama, there appears to be another Olympian rising up quickly through the ranks of the Bay League.
Meet Gustavo Rangel, who is in his second year in the United States after moving from Mexico.
In only his second Bay League meet, Rangel jumped from 22nd place to 10th place with a time of 16 minutes, 22 seconds on the three-mile Redondo High course, the highest non-Palos Verdes or non-Redondo runner in the field.
Rangel said he remembers hearing about Lezama's quick ascension in the Bay League, going from unknown junior varsity runner to Bay League champion in half a season. He even said it inspired him a bit.
"When I first got to high school, I saw Jose getting first place, and it made me want to go for it," Rangel said.
Rangel could have been ninth had he not lost a sprint at the end to Redondo's Justin Caracoza, but it was nonetheless an impressive performance, especially considering Lezama was out with an ankle injury.
"The last 400, that was actually the best I felt," Rangel said.
Could this be the year the Olympians have two top-five Bay League runners? Rangel would probably need a top-five finish to advance to the CIF finals, a goal he has firmly established in his mind.
"To qualify for CIF would be my dream," Rangel said.
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