Boys cross country: Mustangs ready for uphill climb

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - Another year older and another year wiser for the

Costa Mesa High boys cross country team as the Mustangs head into the

2001 season with much-needed experience under their belt, or shoes as the

case may be.

“This group is working well together,” Mesa Coach Eric Davies said.

“It’s going to take a full group effort and with strong leadership from

the seniors and returning lettermen, we should be ready to compete.”

The Mustangs, who will move up to Division III competition in the CIF

Southern Section this year, are led by senior standout Irwin Salas. Salas

was Costa Mesa’s lone shining star last year, reaching the Southern

Section preliminaries as a junior.

“He’s not only a talented runner, but he’s doing an excellent job of

motivating the other runners,” Davies said. “He knows it’s going to take

the entire team to be successful so he’s raising the bar for his

teammates.”

Joining Salas near the head of the pack will be first-year runner Jose

Ibarra, who was a varsity standout in both soccer and track and field

last year. “He’s another senior, so he’ll be a good leader for us,”

Davies said.

With Salas and Ibarra carrying the senior leadership, Davies will look

to sophomore Marco Huipe to bridge the gap between this year’s success

and future success.

Marco Huipe is the younger brother of Liz Huipe, who was a standout

runner for Estancia High before moving on to Vanguard University this

year.

Juniors Zach Powell and Tommy Payne, as well as sophomores Jorge Raya

and Saul Palomar will make up the rest of the Mustangs’ squad, who look

to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish in the PCL.

“Estancia is still the team to beat because everyone is back from last

year,” Davies said. “Northwood, University and CdM will also be tough,

but I think we’ll be much improved and we’ll give all the schools a good

run for their money.”

COSTA MESA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Marco Huipe So.

Jose Ibarra Sr.

Saul Palomar So.

Tommy Payne Jr.

Zach Powell Jr.

Jorge Raya So.

Irwin Salas Sr.

Coach Eric Davies