The Culver City track and field team is starting to develop strong middle distance and long distance runners under the direction of long-time, cross-country and distance running coach, Tom Fitzius. This year two of his prize pupils are both named Max. Max Flynn and Max Jordan and they are improving their times almost every time they step on the track.
Last week against Santa Monica freshman Jordan ran a personal best, 4:48.85 mile.
“That was the fastest mile by a freshman since I started coaching here 11 years ago,” said a happy Fitzius. “They push each other in practice so when they run in the meets they are ready to go. The middle school also has a good distance program so they are coming to the high school with some knowledge about how to train and run races.”
Jordan credits hard work, dedication and good coaching for his improvement. “I think you have to work hard every day,” said Jordan. “If I have some free time on the weekend I go out and run five miles. It takes me about thirty minutes, and after that I can go out with my friends and have some fun. You need to stay active every day if you expect to be a good runner.”
Middle and long distance runners, Jordan along with Flynn, Abraham Vasquez, Esmeralda Sandoval and Kathy Hermosillo will run against North Torrance today 2:45 p.m. on the Culver City track. Sandoval, who runs the 3,200 meters, comes from a family of distance runners. Her father is the cross country and track coach at Venice High School.
“I credit my parents and my coach for helping me be a good distance runner,” said Sandoval. “They give me a lot of positive support.”
Culver City boys and girls beat rival Santa Monica last week to the delight of head coach Jahmal Wright. “I am very happy today,” said Wright. “All of our teams did a great job. We just have to keep up the hard work and continue to improve.”
The action continues for several other Culver City teams this week and next week. The 8-11 baseball team will travel to El Segundo today to face the first place Eagles at 3:15 p.m., and on Saturday they travel to Chatsworth High to face Poly of Sun Valley at 2:30 p.m. in a non-league game. On Tuesday the Centaurs return home to play Ocean League rival Santa Monica at 3:15 p.m.
The 16-9 boys’ volleyball team will travel to El Segundo today for a very important match at 3:15 p.m. If the Centaurs can upset El Segundo they will share first place with the Eagles. On Tuesday they will battle Santa Monica at Santa Monica at 3:15 p.m. The Centaurs are currently in second place in the Ocean league behind El Segundo.
The 7-4 girls’ softball team will travel to Hawthorne today for a 3:15 game and on Saturday they will stay on the road when they face Port of Los Angeles at El Segundo middle school at 9 a.m. On Tuesday they travel to Beverly Hills for a 3:15 p.m. game. The 4-9 boys’ lacrosse team will travel to Beverly Hills for a 6 p.m. match on Friday and they will return home on Wednesday to face Encino Crespi at 6 p.m. The 10-6-1 girls lacrosse team will be at home for their next three games starting with a match against Beverly Hills on Friday at 4 p.m. On Monday they face Santa Monica at 4 p.m. and on Tuesday they battle Downey at 4 p.m.