St. Francis Cross Country Opens Season at Oakmont Invitational

News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The nationally-ranked St. Francis cross country team will open the 2013 season at the Oakmont Invitational held at Maidu Park in Roseville on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The Troubadours will field three teams in the event, including varsity, junior varsity and freshmen/sophomore squads. The freshmen/sophomore race begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the varsity girls at 9:30 a.m. and junior varsity girls at 10:30 a.m.

“Coming off a very good track season and strong summer running program, I am looking for the girls to come out in the first race quicker than a year ago,” said Head Coach John DuCray. “I am also looking for some newcomers to surprise me.”

St. Francis is ranked 11th in the 2013 National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Girls Pre-Season Cross Country Team Rankings announced by XCNation.com. The Troubadours also garnered a No. 3 state ranking behind only Great Oak High School and Simi Valley HS out of the CIF Southern Section in the DyeStatCal Top 50 announced Monday.

Senior Lauren Loracco won the varsity race in 2012, helping the Troubadours claim the team title.

“I just want to do the best I can and set a PR,” said Loracco. “I want to finish (my senior year) strong and be a role model for the team.”

Senior Madison Rawson was sixth in the varsity race last season at the Oakmont meet, while junior Miranda Myers won the freshman/sophomore race.

“I think our team will do really well as a team and see the summer work pay off,” said Rawson. “We have come together as a team and have really improved over the years. You can see the improvement.”

Overall, the Troubadours swept all three races in both the team and individual standings.