CHS to host invitational

With several spots to fill from last year, Clovis High cross country coach Mike Hankins isn't sure what to expect today when his teams open the season with the Clovis Invitational at Ned Houk Park.

"It's a new season," said Hankins, in his fifth year as head coach. "I don't think this week is an indicator of where we'll be at later."

CMI photo: Tony BullocksClovis cross country coach Mike Hankins goes over the day's agenda Thursday before Thursday's practice at the high school. The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats open their 2012 season today with the Clovis Invitational at Ned Houk Park.

The boys return three regulars from last year's squad which placed eighth in the Class 5A state meet, while the girls bring back two from a seventh-place team finisher.

Five boys ran between 30th and 43rd at state last fall, not enough to get the Wildcats a high team finish.

"We lost some of our good people, but I think as the year goes on the younger guys will gain experience," senior Chase Beausoleil, who finished 35th in the state meet.

Beausoleil and juniors Max Santarosa and Kyle Carson have the most experience. They're slated to run today for the Cats, along with sophomores Jeff Searcy and Joel Chavez and freshman Logan Beausoleil, Chase's brother.

"I don't know how we'll do," Hankins said. "The top three have run varsity meets before and, actually, they're running pretty good.

"Chase is starting off well. He ran as good a two-mile time trial last week as we've ever had run."

As the lead runner, Chase Beausoleil knows his role is a little different this year.

"It puts me on the spot, but I'm ready to help any way I can," Beausoleil said. "This year, me and Max and Kyle had made it a goal to take it one place higher at state, and we want to be district champions."

The girls return senior Brittany Collins and junior Rebekah Gallop, and Collins is coming off a knee injury which forced her to miss most of last season.

"I'm finally getting back in shape," Collins said. "It feels pretty good to be leading the girls."

Asked if she has any goals, Collins said: "Just to stay healthy. We want to win district and place high at state, but we'll just take it as it comes."

Rounding out the lineup for today's meet are junior Dulce Velasquez, sophomore Myrella Lopez and freshmen Hollyann Steinle and Emily Gonzales.

Hankins is glad to have a healthy Collins back for the start of the season.

"We're looking for Brittany to run well," he said. "The hard part is putting girls on the course that have never run a cross country meet before, so it's a big learning curve."

FAST FACTS

When, where: today at Ned Houk Park

2011 champions: Amarillo Tascosa (boys), Rio Rancho Cleveland (girls)

Number of teams: Between eight and 10 full teams are expected on both sides, including district rivals Hobbs and Carlsbad.

Times: Varsity boys, 3 p.m.; varsity girls, 3:30 p.m.; junior varsity boys, 4 p.m.; junior varsity girls, 4:30 p.m.