Glendale Community College Cross-Country Preview: Titles are talk of summer

Throughout the summer and beforehand, the Glendale Community College women’s and men’s cross-country programs have shared a few thoughts.

Both are looking to win Western State Conference crowns and shine at the Southern California and California State Championships.

Yet, the similarities end there, as the women are preparing to repeat as triple crown champions, while the men are hoping to improve upon a 2015 campaign when they came close to winning a conference title before coming up short.

“I think we’re looking good on both sides,” Glendale Community College Coach Eddie Lopez said. “With the women, we have some All-Americans back, some big time runners and they’re ready to win again.

“With the guys, I think we’re definitely going to be better and contend for a conference crown. We have a lot more depth this year than we’ve had in a while.”

The 2015 season was nothing short of magical for the GCC women, who defeated College of the Canyons, 19-38 and 35-115, for the Western State Conference and Southern California Championships, respectively, before topping Hartnell, 37-117, for the California Community College Athletic Assn. title at Woodward Park on Nov. 21.

The Vaqueros boast five All-Americans off that squad, including sophomore returners Leana Setian (Glendale High/Clark Magnate product) and Giselle Masedo.

“The goal for us has always been to win conference and then SoCal and state,” said Masedo, who finished fifth (18 minutes 44.1 seconds) in conference, sixth (19:02.8) in Southern California and 12th (18:40) at state. “Our mindset changes a little bit because we’re trying to defend our titles, but we’re still working as hard as ever. We know what it takes to succeed.”

Other than Masedo and Setian, the team captain, the Vaqueros have another returner in sophomore Fabiola Naranjo (Glendale High), who will be flanked by newcomers, including freshman Angelica Salas, the Los Angeles City Section Division I runner-up.

“It’s exciting to be a part of this program. That’s why I came to Glendale, to run,” Salas said. “I just want to do my part and run my best for the team.”

Former Pacific League rivals will also join up with Glendale as Burroughs’ Eileen Eckles and Pasadena’ Fiona Faulkner are two of Lopez’ prominent new arrivals.

“It’s a good mix,” Lopez said. “We have enough talent up front and our No. 4, 5, and 6 runners will learn from the more experienced runners.”

As for the men, they have a new captain in sophomore Shane Thompson, a prominent member of the Burroughs High 2014 CIF Southern Section Division I championship team.

Thompson was Glendale’s No. 2 runner last year behind conference champion Isayan Vahagn and finished ninth (20:18.9) in conference, 10th (21:04.4) in Southern California and 19th (20:59) in state.

“We’re going to be better this year because we’ve put in the work during the summer and we’ve improved as a team,” Thompson said. “For us, the first goal is conference and that’s where it starts. You have to win there before you talk about the rest.”

Last season, College of the Canyons won its third straight conference crown, 24-56, over runner-up Glendale at Lake Legg. The Vaqueros went on to finish sixth at both Southern California and at state.

Thompson has a strong No. 2 runner who will push him in sophomore Alejandro Martinez.

“We want to be top three in state and we can do it,” Martinez said. “We’re a lot stronger than last year and we’ve got a lot of good talent coming in.”

The Vaqueros have another pair of returners in Luis Celaya and Edwin Morales, along with local freshmen in Crescenta Valley’s Philip Thomas, Glendale’s Paulo Vazquez and Burroughs’ Justin Villagran.

“They’re going to really be competitive this year,” Lopez said. “I think they’re going to give Canyons a run for its money and we’ll see if we can break that three-year streak.”

Glendale opens the season at the Orange Coast Invitational on Friday.