Das Neves’ Edge Is No Help on the Hill

Helix’s Daniel Das Neves appears to have a built-in advantage over his cross-country competitors. He is a Brazilian exchange student whose American host happens to be Luis de Oliveira.

De Oliveira, also a native of Brazil, is considered the top middle-distance coach in the United States. He has trained Mary Slaney and currently works with Joaquim Cruz and Ocky Clark.

At the Section cross-country championships Saturday, Das Neves maintained a step advantage over San Pasqual’s Robert Walker during the Division II race as the two approached the Upas Street hill, upon which most Morley Field cross-country races are won.

So guess who kicked and left the other nine seconds behind at the finish line? The guy without a professional coach.

Walker raced past Das Neves on the hill, opened a 25-yard lead and maintained it for the final half-mile to finish the three-mile course in 15 minutes 27 seconds, the fastest time of the day. Das Neves came in at 15:36.

“I was pretty scared,” Walker said afterward. “Because I had never raced (Das Neves) before and I didn’t know what he can do. Nobody does.”

That’s more accurate than Walker might have thought because Das Neves still isn’t sure what he’s capable of. In fact, he said, the best runner might not have won Saturday’s race.

“I think I am (a better runner),” Das Neves said. “The only thing is, I’m not in shape yet. I was just running with one pace. I only have one speed, and today I couldn’t shift gears.”

Das Neves is bothered by a sore left Achilles’ tendon, but said the injury is improving. Das Neves expects to do some speed workouts this week, which will help his kick at the state meet.

“Now I’m feeling real good,” he said, “so I’ll probably do better next week.”

The best time for girls also came in Division II. Fallbrook sophomore Milena Glusac finished the 2.5-mile course in 14:30, 42 seconds faster than what she turned in last year when she won as a freshman.