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Lady
Cubs Finish Strong At Palomar Despite Injuries Return to the Women's Cross Country Home Page (Sep. 16, 2006) - - The Lady Cubs made a late change in their schedule Saturday, Sept. 16, and competed in the Palomar College Invitational instead of the previously scheduled Beaver Invitational at Pierce College. The Palomar circuit is one of the more challenging tracks for cross country with a variety of uphill and downhill combinations over the 5K lay-out. Unfortunately, an injury during the race forced the Lady Cubs under the five-runner minimum required to earn a total team score. “Due to some injuries and last minute personal matters that arose, we decided that Palomar would be a better fit than the Beaver Invitational for what we are trying to achieve in the early season,” said head coach Tyrus DeMinter. “It turned out to be the right move for us.” Sophomore Isela Soto (Bell HS) turned in a career best time of 21:12 minutes for ninth place overall in the 70-person field. Freshman Mayra Ivonne Lopez (Hollywood HS) added another LA City top-15 finish with 13th place in 22:06 minutes. Sophomore Mayra Lopez (Franklin HS) showed 33rd with a time of 23:14 minutes. Lady Cubs frosh Diana Anzora was 44th. City sophomore Veronika Baldukhayeva (Ulan-Ude HS, Russia) was running strong but nearly three-quarters into the race, a muscle strain hobbled the veteran such that she couldn’t finish. “It was a real shame for Veronika because she is one of returning runners who has started the season strong and stable,” said DeMinter. “She really tried to finish but we were more concerned for her health in the short and long term so we decided it best that she stop on course. She was attended by meet trainers and she’ll recover soon. It was a muscle strain that needs a little time and therapy to heal.” The Lady Cubs next travel into Orange County for the highly regarded Golden West Invitational. The Women’s 5K event is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am. |