1993 PREP PREVIEW / BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

Villa Park

Coach: Dave White (20th year).

1992: Third place at Southern Section II-AA finals, Century League champions.

Key returners: Jeremy Mordock, Jr.; Josh Rencher, Sr.; Blake Schumacher, Sr.; Phillip Sitner, Sr.; Gil Tafoya, Sr.

Key newcomers: Juan Aceves, Jr.; Jim Elliott, Jr.; Arnold Hyun, Jr.; Brian Slade, So.

Outlook: If Villa Park is going to break through and become one of Orange County’s top cross-country teams, this will be the season. Four seniors, led by Schumacher and Sitner, head a Spartan crew that is nearly 10 deep. Schumacher ran 4:37 and 9:52 for 1,600 and 3,200 meters last spring, and Sitner finished fifth in the Southern Section Division II 1,600 title race at 4:24. Mordock has also broken 10:00 for 3,200 meters. Aceves and Rencher both excel on the track as well, and White is hoping that will translate to cross-country success. Tafoya and Slade seem to be the early favorites to round out the top seven for the Spartans, but Elliott and Hyun provide great backup and may even see action.