Klara Jones
Led by freshman Audrey Velez, Valeria Espinoza, Natalie Shirazifard, and Chloe Nguyen (left to right) race in the Frosh-Soph division at Century Conference League Preview.
The Cypress cross country team feels optimistic about its shot at league champions in the coming season, despite policy challenges regarding concerns related to immigration enforcement. Last year, in 2024, the Cypress girls cross country team competed in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) for the first time since 2014, while several boys team stars, including Isaiah Garma, individually qualified for CIF.
Returning this year and leading the boys team to victory is senior and boys captain Garma, who hopes to run next year in college. Garma is approaching this season planning “to medal in each race and try to chase the school record.” This year, the dynamic of the boys team is different because many of the athletes are new after losing much of last year’s leadership. Nonetheless, Garma quietly leads the team by example every day at practice and at races, showing them firsthand the strategy they’ve maintained for years: “get[ting] out hard and hang[ing] on.”
On the girls side, the team hopes to bring home the North Hills league championship this year, led by returning sophomore Sam Treadway. Last year, even though the girls had a young team, they were second place in their league to Crean Lutheran, who has now moved to the Freeway League. At Century Conference League Preview, the girls placed first in North Hills, followed by El Modena. It hasn’t been easy, though. With their best, highest mileage off-season yet, “we have needed to work harder to prevent injuries,” according to coach Matthew Tweed. It’s also the biggest the program has been in years, with over 70 athletes. Beyond quantity, though, Tweed explains that “this year’s group is incredibly dedicated and hard working. They have helped to build a culture that has embraced lofty goals and hard work.”
Several weeks ago, with parent complaints over student safety because of the possible threat of immigration enforcement raids, Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) banned off-campus practice. Cross country takes place entirely on the streets surrounding Cypress, so the new policy threatened the team’s hope for the season, especially because none of the other schools in their league are in AUHSD. The ban felt like a severe disadvantage to the team, who described with trepidation their horror at imagining the entire team–over 70 athletes–running dozens of laps around the track while sharing the space with volleyball, wrestling and football. Luckily, Principal Jennifer Brown advocated for the team. The team’s relief was palpable when Brown announced the new compromise reached between safety and training: wearing school gear while running, staying in groups and constant supervision from coaches.
With a mix of excitement and nerves, the team looks ahead to an amazing season.