RUNNER OF THE YEAR: Sophia Rodriguez
Whittier, senior
The 2014 cross country season could have gone to waste for Sophia Rodriguez.
The day before the Woodbridge Invitational in September, the Whittier High School senior was complaining about soreness in her leg. An initial diagnosis was a stress fracture. Three weeks later, it was diagnosed as a strained tendon in her foot.
“I wore a boot for two weeks,” she said. “I thought my season was over. I did everything I could, pool exercises, riding a stationary bike so if I came back I would not so out of shape.”
Rodriguez came back all right. She won the Del Rio League championship at Legg Lake in her first league cluster meet race of the season.
“My last race and I knew I wanted everything,” she said. “I went for it. I was really surprised the El Rancho girls did not stay with me. It was an amazing feeling and I could not believe it. When I finished. I was in shock.”
Coach of the year: Dan Whittington, Whittier
First team
Ruth Blanco, St. Paul, freshman
Stephanie Cortez, California, senior
Alma Colindres, El Rancho, junior
Brenda Dorantes, Whittier, junior
Samantha Huerta, La Mirada, junior
Esmerelda Morales, El Rancho junior
Sophia Sousa, Whittier, sophomore
Second team
Amy Baray, Whittier Christian, freshman
Ilse Cacho, California, senior
Lesley Flores, La Habra, sophomore
Melissa Gutierrez, El Rancho, senior
Sabrina Padilla, Montebello, junior
Catalina Pantoja, Whittier junior
Rochelle Viramontes, Whittier, sophomore