The Concordia Golden Eagles men’s and women’s cross country team strives toward conference championship after gaining confidence as a unit in their most recent invitational event. Both the men and women placed top ten at the UAH Chargers Invitational in Huntsville, Alabama. 

“A big goal for Alabama was to gain confidence in our athletic ability. We had a goal of where we wanted to finish, and understood what would happen if we did not race to the best of our abilities. The race showed us what could be accomplished if we believe in our fitness,” said Priscella Gomez, a senior from Downey. 

Mariza Chavez, a freshman from Red Rock, Arizona said, “Alabama was an amazing opportunity and a great race to get some good experience. As a freshman it was very nerve wracking, but I learned that I am capable and fit to be running with our top girls. As a team we learned that we are strong together and I believe that this race proved that along with how much confidence we should have in ourselves.”

As the Golden Eagles look forward to hosting the PacWest Conference Championships for the first time, the athletes are putting all their effort into preparing both mentally and physically to achieve their goal of being conference champions. 

“One specific goal that the team and I want to achieve this year is placing top two at conference along with top six at regionals. If everything goes smoothly, we have a chance of going to nationals which would be amazing considering we finished top four in Alabama and beating other teams in our division,” said Fernando Aguirre, a graduate student from Whittier.

Gomez added, “I have been practicing mental toughness leading into conference. All I have left to do is believe I am capable of being part of something great. Which in turn, makes me push myself during practices.”

The conference championships will be held in Irvine at OC Great Park on Sat., Oct. 26. Although the Golden Eagles are competing as a team, each athlete strives to achieve individual goals as the season is coming to an end. 

“As a freshman, a main goal I want to carry with me for the duration of my collegiate career is being confident in not only myself and my capabilities, but having confidence in the team and knowing that we can work through tough races, workouts and hardships together,” Chavez said. 

Chavez hopes that, “We as a team will always give each other that support and push each other to be better as individuals and as a whole. I look up to our top women and hope that one day I can give the same confidence and support to a younger athlete like they have for me.” 

Tags: cross country

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