Record-setting year: River Valley cross country reaches state championships
Jan. 2—The River Valley High girls cross country team never slowed down in 2023.
From a second-straight Capital Valley Conference championship to a trip to the California Interscholastic Federation state championships, held annually at Fresno's Woodward Park, River Valley's year was unforgettable for both the athletes and coaches.
"It is with great pleasure (that) I inform you that RVHS cross country just made history with the varsity girls making the state meet as a team," head coach Swarnjit Boyal said in a previous report. "First time in Yuba City history a team has qualified to state."
River Valley's scoring pack, all of whom return in 2024, still find the feat surreal weeks after the trip to Woodward Park.
"I think it was a pretty big accomplishment," junior Emma Thiara said. "It was really exciting getting to show our town that we have a good program here and this is just the beginning."
Thiara was second to teammate Nevaeh Brown at state, running four seconds behind to finish the 5-K in 19 minutes, 15 seconds.
April Anguiano followed in 84th overall in 19:32. Autumn Bonds, Bella Rose Guillermo and Ellyce Hill rounded out the Falcon scoring pack with finishes in 20:36, 21:50 and 22:44, respectively as River Valley finished 18th out of 24 schools in the Division II race.
Thiara was most impressed with the sheer volume of strong runners all in one spot for the state championships. D-II was a 196-person race.
"It doesn't hit you until you're there," Thiara said. "I was genuinely shocked about how many people were there — A crazy group of talented runners."
Rose Guillermo called making it to state "mentally and physically challenging," but one she thoroughly enjoys.
"To be on this team is a privilege and you have to work for your spot," Rose Guillermo said.
Boyal said after state there is about a two-week window that the athletes use to recover before hitting the trail again to start time trials.
"Usually right after the season ends we still do light running and some time trials, typically in the mile and two-mile. We use these time trials to see where the kids are at the end of the season," said Boyal, a River Valley alumnus and former U.S. Olympic time trial competitor.
When in-season training begins, Boyal said the process is multi-layered.
"Our season is typically 24 weeks long — first four weeks are known as the beginning phases, which is basically getting their bodies back to running and into shape," Boyal said. "Next ten weeks really focus on increasing (the team's) aerobic capacity with higher mileage and adding tougher workouts."
The last four weeks, Boyal explained, is called the peak phase where intensity increases.
"This is usually around the (postseason)," Boyal said. "The key to a successful program is finding good athletes who aren't just motivated, but rather are disciplined and even when they may not want to do a workout or go for a run they still show up no matter what."
Boyal's bunch loves the sport right down to each mile.
"This sport is really a beautiful one not just to watch but to compete," Anguiano said. "When you get to compete at higher levels it's really a cool experience. ... Everyone should join cross country."
