The Huntington High School girls’ cross country team won three-of-four meets this spring as seniors Valerie Rogel and Ella Siepel claimed All-League Second Team honors and Anna Koulakova was named All-League Honorable Mention.
Coached by physical education Elizabeth Vogelsang, the 13-member roster also included Freshmen Damaris Mani-Munoz, Andrea Mani-Munoz and Jannel Marroquin; sophomores Talia Addeo and Maryuri Nunez Gomez; juniors Yanira Rivera Ronquillo and Erin Ye and seniors Taylor Case, Kaylee Dammers and Brianna Isaza.
The Blue Devils finished as the league runner-up and were 18th in the conference. Rogel, Siepel and Koulakova were all named to the Academic All-County team.
Rogel and Siepel were Huntington’s captains. “Valerie is one of the best,” Vogelsang said. “Her knowledge, hard work and dedication to the sport inspires me and all of her teammates. Despite injuries along the way, she has managed to always maintain a top three position.”
Siepel also shined this spring. “Ella’s reliable and consistent and I could have never asked for a better captain,” Vogelsang said. Her intelligence with pacing and her desire to get better always put her in a top five position throughout the year.”
Koulakova also enjoyed a nice season, shaving off time at every race. “Anna came into cross country a little bit late into high school, but she clicked right away and in every single race was faster than the one before,” Vogelsang said. “She made cross country her own while enjoying the team aspect and spirit.”
Freshmen sisters Damaris and Andrea Mani-Munoz also began showing talent that could develop and carry them far in the next three years.
“Andrea came into the season strong and then got a few injuries along the way, but she came in with an intense energy,” Vogelsang said. “She maintained a top five position, which is difficult to do as a freshman. There are big things to come for her.”
Damaris Mani-Munoz was only 19 seconds behind her sister in their best times this season. “Damaris’ work ethic and motivation to get better shined in an out of practice,” Vogelsang said. “She also managed to hold a top five position. I cannot wait to see what she can do in coming seasons.”
The cross country season was moved from the fall of 2020 to March-April due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, it will be returning to the fall in 2021 with the first day of practice slated for Monday, August 23.
“Although we had a quick season, this was one of my most motivated teams,” Vogelsang said. “They really understood how important it was to make every practice count. I couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated and loving team.”
Looking ahead to next fall, Vogelsang sees the Mani-Munoz sisters as “leading the pack” with several other current underclassmen not far behind.
“Erin Ye will be a returning senior for next year,” Vogelsang said. “I can’t wait to see her in a leadership position as a senior. Yanira Rivera will also be a senior and will experience her second season of cross country. She improved tremendously so I cannot wait to see her crush it next year. Talia Addeo and Maryuri Nunez Gomez are both coming as juniors and I cannot wait to see the strength and motivation they will bring to the season. Jannel Marroquin will be a sophomore and I truly believe she will run her way into the top five.”
Interested in joining the Blue Devil girls’ cross country program? Send a message to Vogelsang as evogelsang@hufsd.edu.
