Juniors Walter Brennan and Aidan Goltra are new to Cougar cross country this year, but have established themselves as vital to the team’s current success. Brennan transferred from De La Salle, while Goltra transferred from Las Lomas. Both began practicing with the squad in August.
Although he has been with the team since the start of the season, the Roughrider Invitational in Fresno on October 12th was Goltra’s first race for Campo, due to a restriction imposed on transfer students by the California Interscholastic Federation.
“I felt very pent-up, but the trade-off was worth it,” said Goltra of the long wait to compete. However, the wait appears to have been worth it, as he finished 1st with a personal record of 15:35 over the 3.1 mile course.
Unlike Goltra, Brennan was able to appeal the CIF “sit out” period for transfers due to his residency within the Campolindo boundary and began racing at the start of the season. Brennan finished 3rd at the Roughrider Invitational in 16:34. Brennan said, “I’m definitely happy where I’m at, but my goal is to get sub 16:00.”
Both runners have adjusted well to the team. “It wasn’t too bad to adjust, and everyone was really friendly,” said Brennan. They have also noticed the team’s attention to detail during practices. “Campo is very systematic, everything is planned. It’s very personal even though it’s a big team,” said Goltra.
Cross country coach Chuck Wooldridge has high expectation for the team this season. “The future looks bright for the team,” said Woolridge.
Having won the DFAL the last four season, and been champions are runners up at the NCS meet the last four years, the annual goal for the squad is to contend for a section title, and make the podium at the State Meet. Woolridge said, “Those goals seem within reach.”