JENA PIANIN Amador Valley – Cross Country

Defending your title is difficult enough. But doing it in the pouring rain and running in the mud definitely throws a wrench in strategy. Jena Pianin did just that when she captured her second straight NCS Div. I cross country title with a 3-mile time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds on Nov. 17 at Hayward High School.

Defending your title is difficult enough. But doing it in the pouring rain and running in the mud definitely throws a wrench in strategy. Jena Pianin did just that when she captured her second straight NCS Div. I cross country title with a 3-mile time of 17 minutes, 56 seconds on Nov. 17 at Hayward High School.

SportStars Magazine: How was it running in those conditions? 

Jena Pianin: It was kinda crazy. We had some idea that it might rain and that it might be muddy. I didn’t expect it to downpour during the race, though. You just have to tell yourself everyone is running in the same conditions. … You just have to put the conditions aside and you keep running.

SSM: How do you prep for that?

JP: We have to run on all different types of surfaces. … The more you run, the more used to surfaces you get. 

SSM: When did you know you were going to win?

JP: I wasn’t 100 percent sure because nothing is ever guaranteed until I crossed the finish line. I knew what I had to do to qualify my team for state. … It was just win at all costs.

SSM: Where does this performance rank amongst your personal bests?

JP: I’m happy I was able to defend my title. … It was such a huge goal (to qualify our team for state) and season-long fight and I was glad to contribute to that.

JENA’S QUICK HITS

Favorite athlete: Mo Farah

Favorite class: We the People program, Civics team

Favorite Starbucks item: Pumpkin Spiced Latte w/ extra whipped cream

Honorable Mention

Lilly Walker — The Diablo FC ’00 Blue Rampage goalkeeper allowed only two goals in three games at the Heritage Harvest Cup on Oct. 27-28.

Harris Ross — The Pittsburg running back had himself a game on Nov. 9 at Monte Vista. He put up 269 rushing yards and four TDs as the Pirates won 55-29.

Savrinah Oliveros — In her first year in gymnastics, she moved on to the Level 4 State competition with a 36.45 all around score at the Harvest Moon Invitational on Oct. 27.