The sun was beating down on the runners as they navigated through the Irvine Park cross-country course. Going through narrow trails and over hills in the hot and dry weather the Corona del Mar Cross Country team battled all elements at their first league meet of the season on Thursday.

“It was definitely a challenging race. Not just the course but also the 95-degree weather and the seven percent humidity. But overall we did really well,” said junior Devon Hoppe.
CdM runners had a tough race but in the end everyone pulled through and worked as a team in order to get as many wins as possible.
“The first league meet was really good. Our team looks really promising this year,” said senior Christine Light. The Sea Kings won every race except boy’s varsity who got second by only five points.
Girl’s varsity runner Melanie Powers placed first overall. Marisa Cummings also ran in her first race since being injured and got fourth in the varsity race. Sebastien Welch placed fifth in the varsity race. Junior varsity girls had another victory as Amanda Bastien took first place. Boy’s junior varsity runner Kjell Wolker got second and boy’s frosh/soph runner Kevin Gordiner got first place. Lastly, girl’s frosh/soph swept the race with Sarah Silverman, Megan Zwerling, Alex Dickens, and Sarah Hoppe taking first through fifth.
At the end of the day the temperature finally began to cool and the cross-country team was able to relax and enjoy their wins at the first league meet of the season. Hopefully CdM will be as victorious at the Central Park Invitational in Huntington Beach on Saturday and keep up their undefeated title.