The 2021 Metro Conference cross country season likely will be unlike any before it.
The season will consist only of dual meets. Most teams will compete in only three duals, in fact .
It will be a short season. But the bottom line for all involved, there will be a season.
“This season is a different beast to tackle,” Olympian coach Morgan Stilwell summed up.
But after a year off the competition course, it’s simply invigorating to be back competing with friends and teammates.
“As expected, numbers are low as compared to our standard team size, but we are very happy to be able to be working with any student-athlete able to join us,” Stilwell said.
Runners to watch on the Eagles include senior Nathaniel Loving as well as a returning juniors Maya Galvan and Cristina Garcia.
Stilwell lists freshman Cordero and senior Gabriel Villarreal Enciso among the newcomers to watch.
The conference has been divided into three leagues for competition.
The Mesa League is comprised of Bonita Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch and Olympian high schools.
South Bay League teams include Chula Vista, Hilltop, Mater Dei Catholic and Sweetwater.
The Pacific League, which has been revived, features Castle Park, Mar Vista, Montgomery, San Ysidro and Southwest.
The conference schedule will consist only of dual meets against league opponents.
Also, city parks are unavailable for competition, which will necessitate courses be designed around campuses.
The Metro Conference will utilize six courses for the upcoming season: Otay Ranch, Eastlake, Olympian, Hilltop and San Ysidro high schools, as well as the Imperial Beach pier.
Bonita Vista, for instance, will compete in races at Olympian, Eastlake and Otay Ranch high schools.
Sweetwater, whose traditional home course was a Rohr Park, will compete this season at Otay Ranch and Hilltop high schools and also at the IB pier.
There are no invitationals planned and no league championship meet is scheduled.
There will be no state championship as well.
Coaches, student-athletes will also be following a new set of rules and regulations in order to compete safely.
In order to maintain sufficient health and safety measures during practices and competitions, the following protocols will be implemented within the Sweetwater Union High School District:
- Team size limitations will be reviewed with coaches and site administrators.
- Site administrators and coaches should make every effort to minimize large gatherings, including assigning students to alternate days of practice.
- At competitions, varsity and junior varsity start times should be staggered to allow students to arrive at and depart from the venue in separate groups.
There will be temperature checks, COVID-19 screenings and social distancing protocols that all must be adhered to.
Runners will start races with masks.
“We’re still not sure whether or not we will be able to have a section championship — that is still in the works,” Otay Ranch coach Julian Valdez said. “I think the most important thing at this point is just continuing to follow the guidelines from the county and working with what we are able to.”
The cross county season extends through March 27 while the track and field season starts competition on March 13, creating an unprecedented overlap. Also, cross country competition will take place while track and field preseason practices are underway.
“In terms of the overlap with cross country and track, I think at least in terms of our programs we’re just gonna try and be flexible and follow whatever guidance CIF gives us,” Valdez said. “We’re in unique times I don’t think anybody at this time is really trying to keep kids from being able to compete. If we have to keep cross country kids in cross country until the transition happens into track, then that is what we will do.
“In terms of training, I think everybody’s going to do things a little bit different based on what their runners need. There’s no question that we have had struggles with keeping everyone motivated, and you can’t blame kids for that. This has been a tremendously difficult situation for everyone involved, and we’re gonna do what we can to make sure the kids have the best season possible.”
Metro Conference Schedule
Friday, Feb. 26
Castle Park-Southwest at IB pier
Sweetwater-Chula Vista at Otay Ranch High School
Friday, March 5
Mar Vista, San Ysidro, Montgomery at San Ysidro High School
Chula Vista at Hilltop
Sweetwater-Mater Dei Catholic at IB pier
Bonita Vista at Otay Ranch
Olympian at Eastlake
Friday, March 12
Castle Park-Mar Vista at IB pier
San Ysidro, Southwest, Montgomery at San Ysidro High School
Mater Dei Catholic at Hilltop
Otay Ranch at Olympian
Bonita Vista at Eastlake
Thursday, March 18
Mater Dei Catholic-Chula Vista at IB pier
Friday, March 19
Castle Park, San Ysidro, Montgomery at San Ysidro High School
Southwest-Mar Vista at IB pier
Sweetwater at Hilltop
Eastlake at Otay Ranch
Bonita Vista at Olympian
Note: start times are 3 p.m.
