The Colonial High School boy's cross country team is coming off a state championship in 2011. The Grenadiers brought home the first team championship in any sport in the school's history. Junior Andres Arroyo won individual gold in 4A finishing in a time of 15:13.74. Coach Rene Plasencia returns five of his top seven from last year. They lose Cody Decker to graduation. but bring back Arroyo, John Profitt, Caleb Licht, and Raul Ramirez who all finished in the top 37 at state. The team combined for a 16:06 average.
If track is any indicator of the success Colonial will have in 2012 then they very well could be at the top of the podium once again. Arroyo and Ramirez, teamed up to win the 4x800 meter relay and Arroyo also won the 1600 and 3200 meter runs to complete the triple. His closing speed and nasty "kick" at the end of the race make him a threat no matter what the distance. The team brings back an impressive five runners under 10:10 for the 3200m, with nine under 5:00 for the 1600 meters; five of them sub 4:40.
One of the keys to success for this program is the family atmosphere. Coach Plasencia believes that when the kids buy into this mentality it makes the whole program stronger. He says last year's team was one of the best he's ever coached, but this team could be even better. Their training schedule is written from summertime until December in preparation for postseason meets. Look for the Grenadiers to make it back-to-back team state titles, Arroyo to do the same as an individual, and them to make a presence on the national stage as well.
Coach Plasencia Says...
2012 Returner's Top Times
5K XC
| Colonial HS | 302 | |||
| 1) Andres Arroyo | 14:59.18 | 1 | ||
| 2) John Profitt | 16:11.00 | 36 | ||
| 3) Raul Ramirez | 16:15.92 | 45 | ||
| 4) Caleb Licht | 16:18.30 | 52 | ||
| 5) Kyle Decker | 16:54.49 | 168 | ||
| Average Time: 16:07.78 -- Total Time: 1:20:38.89 -- 1-5 Split: 1:55.31 | ||||
| 6) Anthony Hurd | 17:03.10 | 206 | ||
| 7) Christian Arroyo | 17:16.16 | 293 | ||
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Boys 3200 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 9:10.37 | Arroyo, Andres | FSU Relays |
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| 9:50.01 | Licht, Caleb | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 9:57.47 | Decker, Cody | FHSAA 4A District 4 |
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| 10:05.72 | Profitt, Ramses | Metro Conference Finals |
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| 10:07.03 | Ramirez, Raul | Royal Invitational |
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| 10:17.84 | Hurd, Anthony | Royal Invitational |
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| 10:24.66 | Lopez, Jared | East Coast Classic |
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| 10:44.94 | Decker, Kyle | East Coast Classic |
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Boys 1600 Meter Run |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 4:11.76 | Arroyo, Andres | FSU Relays |
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| 4:29.50 | Ramirez, Raul | FHSAA 4A District 4 |
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| 4:34.52 | Hurd, Anthony | FHSAA 4A District 4 |
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| 4:35.54 | Arroyo, Christian | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 4:37.02 | Decker, Cody | Royal Invitational |
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| 4:47.60 | Lopez, Jared | Royal Invitational |
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| 4:52.56 | Decker, Kyle | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 4:53.56 | ortiz, joel | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 4:58.25 | riegelmayer, zachary | Brian Jaeger Elite Classic |
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| 5:13.89 | Martinez, Nathan | Preprunners.com All-Star Showdown |
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| 5:21.11 | carillo, michael | Preprunners.com All-Star Showdown |
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