“I feel like I’ve been in an air-fryer for the last couple hours.”–Coach Triya
MVXC did not have the best conditions for the SCVAL opener at Baylands on September 23. Back at Monta Vista, all outdoor athletic activities were shut down during the heat. Fortunately, conditions were better at Baylands Regional Park, and we were able to run–but we can’t say it was comfortable, and the marks reflected the conditions. Here is a quick analysis, sampling the 10th, 100th, and 200th finisher from the 2024 edition and comparing that to this year:
SCVAL Opener Times: 2025 Compared to 2024
| Boys | Girls | |||||
| 2024 Meet | 2025 Meet | Difference | 2024 Meet | 2025 Meet | Difference | |
| 10th Finisher | 16:54 | 17:27 | 0:33 | 20:09 | 20:29 | 0:20 |
| 100th Finisher | 18:59 | 19:05 | 0:06 | 24:29 | 25:34 | 1:05 |
| 200th Finisher | 20:10 | 20:42 | 0:32 | 28:17 | 30:22 | 2:05 |
| Average | 0:24 | 1:13 | ||||
A casual, non-running observer would look at marks that were a minute worse that last year and think that the race was a waste of time–but that would be wrong! It’s always a great day to race. For many of our athletes, this was their first crack at running a 5 km in a high school race, and getting that experience under our belts always matters. And while we don’t seek out hot weather, sometimes we can’t avoid it. Conditions are not always optimal, and sometimes the ability to adapt and roll with what fate hands us makes the difference*.
And no matter the condtions, MVXC had some impressive marks. Monta Vista scored 8 PRs despite the weather–well done, that is impressive, both in this weather but also in our first trip to Baylands this season. The boys varisty team finished in 9th place; our varsity girls did not have a complete team this week, but the JV girls scored a 6th place team finish.
MVXC Baylands Park 5 KM Personal Records at SCVAL Opener 2025
| Name | Mark | PR Amount |
| Myra Mishra | 25:47 | 2:21 |
| Melinda Zhao | 23:35 | 1:43 |
| Aiden White | 20:42 | 1:26 |
| Samuel Heinonen | 18:58 | 1:14 |
| Tarun Gandhi | 17:58 | 0:48 |
| Ritik Shenoy | 19:45 | 0:26 |
| Constantine Chua | 18:57 | 0:13 |
| Riu Yamada | 18:18 | 0:13 |
Plus, as I often am, I am proud of our team for supporting each other. There were people out cheering for MVXC teammates until the last runner. I was struck by the difference watching runners from other teams struggle in at the end with no teammates or coaches in sight. I don’t see that happen with MVXC too often.
Complete results are available on XCStats. Malcolm Slaney has photographs posted (Mr. Slaney’s son ran at Paly, and even though the athlete graduated years ago, Mr. Slaney still comes and takes great photos and posts them for us at no charge).
*Monta Vista’s two Central Coast Championships are examples. In 2013, we lined up on the start line at Crystal and stripped off our jackets in a cold, hard breeze…and then an ambulance rolled in to take care of a distressed runner from the previous race. Everything stopped for 20 minutes. The Monta Vista kids got jackets back on and huddled together for warmth and told each other, “We have got this.” Other schools were freaking out…MVXC won by 20 points. In 2018, the CCS championship race was delayed and delayed again–by more than a week–due to smoky conditions and heat. Even the venue was changed from our home course, Crystal, to Toro Park in Salinas. MVXC won by 20 again. Another example is just last Saturday, when Kento won the Blue race at 3CC even though MVXC was in the worst possible starting box. It is easy to convince ourselves that fate has dealt us a cruel blow–it’s too hot, it’s too humid, it’s too cold, this starting box is the worst. Sometimes, conditions matter less than how you think about them, and building some mental callousing and fortitude by competing in less than ideal conditions can be valuable. Conditions can change, but we can all do our best.
