The San Matean

Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Alexis Terrazas Jennie Leonoudakis

Media Credit: Alexis Terrazas Julien Winzelberg

"It's been a long time," said Cross Country Head Coach Joe Mangan after both his men's and women's teams advanced to the California Community College Championships, which will be held Nov. 18 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Both CSM teams finished in ninth place at the Northern California Finals held at Crystal Springs Cross Country Course in Belmont on Nov. 4, giving CSM a chance to compete at the state level.

"We don't have any superstars on this team," said Mangan. "I just have a bunch of good worthy kids that want to run cross country."

"I felt really good running out there," said CSM women's freshmen runner, Jennie Leonoudakis, who finished 11th place in the women's race with a time of 19:43.

"I'm pleased with how they performed. Jennie, Ashley Crittenden, Brandon Becerra, they all ran well," said Mangan.

"Some of our runners that didn't run well last time, stepped up to the plate today, and helped us advance," said men's runner, Julien Winzelberg, who placed 58th with a time of 24:19.

Winzelberg, who was in a car accident in mid-October, ran despite being really tired, a symptom he has confronted since the car accident.

Winzelberg wasn't the only runner who was going through pain.

Though Leonoudakis ran strong, after the race she pointed to her left thigh, indicating pain. In the Bulldogs' previous race, Leonoudakis ran with an injured shin, though that didn't affect her in her last and most important race.

Heading to uncharted territory, Mangan's main goal is to see both his teams improve.

"Improvement is really big with me. 'Before and after,' that's an important concept."

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