by Joy Cheng | Special to the Courier

Claremont High School’s cross-country program has a long history of success, and this season was no exception.

The team made its 11th consecutive appearance at the California Cross Country State Championships on November 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno, finishing sixth. Junior Lyle Mideiros also qualified as an individual and represented the boys varsity team.

This year’s journey was not without its challenges. The Wolfpack entered the 2024 season having graduated four of its top five varsity runners, leaving many to doubt whether the team would return to the state championships. But under the leadership of coaches Mark Batres and Natalie Miano, it defied expectations.

“Optimism and expectation go hand in hand,” Miano said. “It was no surprise at all that our team competed the way we did, even though we were written off as a team that should not have even made it to state.”

A major factor in the team’s success was the addition of freshman standout Grace Smith, a national champion who quickly became a key player in its rebuilding process. At the prestigious Woodbridge Cross Country Invitational, Smith ran the fastest freshman three-mile time in the nation. She continued to deliver at the state meet, finishing sixth in Division 2 and earning the title of the top freshman in her division.

“I was excited and proud of myself when I finished sixth, especially thinking about all the hard work I put in this season,” Smith said.

Qualifying for the state meet is no small feat, especially as an individual. To secure his spot, Mideiros had to place among the top five individuals at the CIF Southern Section Finals, the most competitive section in California. He finished third, solidifying his spot.

Then at the state championships, Mideiros finished 23^rd.

“I was thrilled to see my hard work paid off, especially through sickness,” Mideiros said. “And I was very excited to go to state and represent Claremont boys cross country myself.”

The strength of the Claremont cross-country program lies in the camaraderie and shared determination of the runners, its coaches said.

“I love being a part of the team,” Smith said. “It feels like a big family. We all care for, appreciate, and love spending time with each other.”

The strong team bond and commitment to training helped propel the Wolfpack as well

“We had so much optimism following our track season because of the potential we saw in the athletes we were coaching,” Batres said. “The level of work the team committed to since the start of the summer was incredible. We’re incredibly proud of our team — their dedication, belief in themselves, and resilience in fighting through adversity.”

Looking ahead, the future of Claremont’s cross-country team is bright, with six of their seven varsity runners returning next season.

Claremont High School junior Joy Cheng is a staff member of the school newspaper, The Wolfpacket, and has a passion for journalism.