Boys cross country: Eagles look to return to top of PCL mountain

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - For those out there who might have missed out on the

success of Estancia High’s boys cross country team, fear not. The brigade

of standout runners has assembled once again for 2001.

Eight returners, including five All-Pacific Coast League honorees will

look for bigger and better things following last year’s PCL title, the

school’s fourth in a row (the Eagles were co-champions in 1999). The

Eagles also placed fifth as a team in the state.

“We’ve got the depth and we’ve got the talent,” Coach Charlie Appell

said. “It’s just a matter of getting the entire team together. Some are

working and are scattered throughout the area. If we can get everyone

here and stay healthy, we can go up against any team out there.”

Leading the way for the Eagles will be junior Humberto Rojas. The

two-time All-PCL standout finished sixth in the CIF Southern Section

Division IV finals (15:43.3) and was 12th in the state (15:59).

While most teams feature one, maybe two standout runners, Estancia’s

team is as strong as any team around.

Seniors Mike Casillas (16:08.6) and Luis Segoviano (16:14.7), also

two-time all-league selections, finished 12th and 16th, respectively, in

last years Southern Section finals, while junior Gerardo Orozco was close

behind at 17th (16:16.0).

Orozco and junior Aaron Van Geem are the other two returning

all-league choices returning to Appell’s squad. Plus, with fellow

returning lettermen Eric Lopez, Abel Flores and Sean Zich, the leading

pack at each race will be heavily populated.

“As far as league goes, Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa are going to be

strong,” Appell said. “It should be a very exciting season.”

ESTANCIA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Mike Casillas Sr.

Panfillo Elias So.

Abel Flores Jr.

Eric Lopez Sr.

Francisco Morales Jr.

Gerardo Orozco Jr.

Humberto Rojas Jr.

Luis Segoviano Sr.

Aaron Van Geem Jr.

Sean Zich Jr.

Coach Charlie Appell