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Track & Field: Magana desires to be great

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Anuare Magana has heard the names from the past many times. The names provide motivation for him. They bring tradition to Costa Mesa High track and field.

Coach Steve Moreno is good about reminding Magana about the great athletes of the Mustangs’ past. Moreno has told Magana about Zoila Gomez, Jasmin Day and the sensational Sharon Day among others who starred at Costa Mesa and went on to greater success in college and beyond.

“The history we have here, we have athletes and potential here that can be at the top [compared to other schools],” Magana said. “It’s an inspiration for me to try to get to where they were too. I just need to work harder and work harder.”

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Magana, a senior, is a star distance runner for Costa Mesa now, no doubt. The potential to shine on the next level is there. The expectations not only come from big-time achievements but also from the hard work he continues to put in.

“I see it as a quote: ‘Good enough never is,’” Magana said. “It’s like always pushing more and always pushing harder. In my mind, I’m thinking the competition they are doing what I’m doing. That’s why I always have to go harder and push myself.”

It’s safe to say Magana is not one to be content and rest on what he has already accomplished. Every workout is an opportunity to improve. Every race he has a chance to be better or maybe try something new.

“He’s a great example of someone who works really hard,” Moreno said of Magana. “He’s a great listener. He follows everything I tell him to a tee. He never shies away from a hard workout. He’s always willing to do the extra work. Whatever it is he does it to his utmost ability. And it shows because it pays off for him.”

Some of the evidence of the payoff came at the Irvine Invitational on March 14. Magana was named Athlete of the Meet after winning the 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes, 26.2 seconds, which is 65th in the state, according to prepcaltrack.com. He also won the 3,200 in 9:30.9, which is 30th in the state.

“It was really cool,” Magana said of being named Athlete of the Meet. “I was surprised when my coach told me that I got Athlete of the Meet. It was an honor. No one else [from Costa Mesa] in recent memory has gotten Athlete of the Meet there.”

In turn, Magana was also named Daily Pilot High School Athlete of the Week. It was the second time this school year he earned such status.

In the fall, he finished 15th in the Orange County Championships sweepstakes race. He showed that being named Athlete of the Week was no fluke.

He finished 10th in Division 4 at the CIF State Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno.

“It’s just a lot of hard work,” Magana said as to why he’s been able to achieve success this school year. “A lot of time and a lot of effort.”

Moreno said Magana has gained interest from colleges, mostly NCAA Division II programs. If Magana continues to rise, the attention will increase.

He won the 1,600 in 4:25.05 (wind aided) in a tri-meet against rival Estancia and Calvary Chapel to open the Orange Coast League competition Thursday at Jim Scott Stadium.

“We have some great history at Costa Mesa with great runners like Zoila Gomez,” Moreno said. “She went to Adams State and was a six time All-American. I tell the kids, that young lady went to our school and look where she took it. Look at what Quinton Bell did last year [third in the state in the boys’ 100] and you look at the Days. He believes he can be a great runner in the future.”

Anuare Magana

Born: March 27, 1997

Hometown: Costa Mesa

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 135 pounds

Sport: Track and field

Year: Senior

Coach: Steve Moreno

Favorite food: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Favorite movie: “No Limits”

Favorite athletic moment: The Costa Mesa boys’ cross country team making CIF in Magana’s sophomore year.

Week in review: Magana was named Athlete of the Meet after winning the 1,600 and 3,200 at the Irvine Invitational on March 14.

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