Distance Program Complete Recruiting Class
Six Women and One Man Complete Signings
May 9, 2005 LONG BEACH, CA-- Long Beach State track and field and most notably its distance program completed its most successful recruiting class this spring with the signing of junior college transfers Ludi Valdez (Costa Mesa/Estancia HS/Orange Coast College), Jenessa Botello (Whittier/Whittier HS/Cerritos College) and Jessica Gomez (Saugus/Saugus HS/College of the Canyons) and high school seniors Robyn Guggiana (Downey/Warren HS), Katie Vahoviak (Burbank/Burroughs HS) and Kristina Wilson (West Covina/South Hills HS) to the women's team. Randy Skills (Bellflower/St. John Bosco HS) will join early signees Fitsum Tesfa (Chino/Don Lugo HS) and Dylan Jaedtke (Simi Valley/Royal HS) on the men's side. All nine have signed National Letters of Intent. "Coach Matt Roe's women's distance recruiting class is incredible. He has signed some of the best female distance runners out there and many of them are local athletes." said Head Coach Andy Sythe. "He has also capped off his men's recruiting with another local talent (Skillens) that combines with our Fall signees to make our incoming male distance runners among the best around." The recruiting class begins with the signing of two of the top junior college runners in the state. Valdez will leave Orange Coast after winning the state cross country meet and holds the fastest 5000m (17:14) and 1500m times (4:38), while Botello finished third to Valdez at State, and holds the second-fastest 800m (2:15.92) and 1500m (4:41) times in the state. Gomez, a relative newcomer to distance running, finished seventh at the state cross country championships for the College of the Canyons and saw her 800m time drop eight seconds this year to the third-best fastest in the state (2:16.08). The remaing three come from the prep ranks on the women's side. Burroughs was an All-CIF performer at Burroughs High, twice being named All-City. Guggiana was a three-time All-San Gabriel League champion in cross country out of Downey High, holding the league records in the 1600m and 3200m races. Wilson had a break through season as a senior, lowering her personal-best in the three mile by nearly a minute to 18:17 (from 19:20) and finishing sixth at the state championships. Skills will join Tesfa and Jaedtke, two of the top prep runners in the state, after leading St. John Bosco High to the boy's state title in 2003 and a third place finish in 2004. Skillens finished fifth at the state championships and had the fifth-fatest time in the state in 2004. WOMEN'S TEAM
Jenessa Botello (Whittier/Whittier HS/Cerritos College)
In cross country, amongst junior college sophomores, Jenessa Botello was bested only by fellow signnee, Ludi Valdez. Botello finished third at the Junior College State Cross Country Championships in a time of 18:36. The 2005 South Coast Conference Champion at 1500, 5000, and 10,000-meters, Botello is one of the most versatile runners in the state. She currently holds the second fastest state junior college 1500-meter (4:41), and second fastest 800-meter time of (2:15.92).
Jessica Gomez (Saugus/Saugus HS/College of the Canyons)
One of the most improved junior college runners in the state, Jessica Gomez dropped her 800-meter best from 2:24 in 2003 to 2:16.08 in 2004. A relative newcomer to distance running Gomez's 800-meter best garnered a third place finish at the State Junior College Championships last year. Gomez recently added cross country to her running resume capturing seventh place at this fall's California State Junior College Championships. Gomez choose Long Beach State over national distance power Arizona State.
Robyn Guggiana (Downey/Warren HS)
The areas top female distance prospect, Robyn Guggiana has had a stellar senior season. In cross country, the three time San Gabriel league cross country champion, posted a three mile best of 17:31 at the Woodbridge Invitational. Guggiana also finished third in the prestigious Stanford Invitational with a 5K clocking of 18:32. On the track, Guggiana is Warren high school school's record holder at 1600-meters and 3200-meters and is the San Gabriel League record holder at 3200 and 1600-meters. Guggiana is the three-time defending San Gabriel League Champion at 3200-meters and two time defending champion at 1600-meters. Ranked among the top 3200-meter runners in California, Guggiana finished 12th (10:51.45) in the elite two mile at Arcadia, the nation's premier high school invitational meet. Katie Vahoviak (Burbank/Burroughs HS)
Burroughs distance standout, Katie Vahoviak garnered All-CIF honors in Cross Country this past fall. Vahoviak, a two time Burbank All-City Cross Country Champion, sports a 18:21 personal best on the famed Mt. Sac Cross Country Course. On the track, Vahoviak is a 3200-meter specialist with a personal best of 11:07.88.
Ludi Valdez (Costa Mesa/Estancia HS/Orange Coast College)
Undefeated against junior college competition this fall, Ludi Valdez captured the individual state junior cross country title in a winning time of 18:08 for the 5000-meter course at Woodward Park in Fresno. Valdez's victory propelled Orange Coast College to the team title as well. The state's premier junior college distance runner, Valdez is a favorite to repeat as state junior college champion on the track this spring. Valdez currently holds the state's fastest junior college 5000-meter and 1500-meter times of 17:14 and 4:38 respectively.
Kristina Wilson (West Covina/South Hills HS)
One of the most improved prep distance runners in the state, Kristina Wilson had a break senior cross country campaign. After lowering her Mt. SAC course personal best from 19:20 in 2003 to 18:17 in 2004, Wilson saved her best race for last. At the State Divison II Cross Country Championships, Wilson finished sixth overall in 18:26 on Fresno's 5000-meter Woodward Park Course. On the track, Wilson currently holds a 3200-meter best of 11:09.
MEN'S TEAM
Randy Skillens (Bellflower/St. John Bosco HS)
The top local male distance prospect, Randy Skillens has proved himself to be one of the state's top cross country runners. In the fall of 2003, Skillens led St. John Bosco to the California State Division II team title. This fall St. John Bosco finished third at State, paced by Skillens fifth place at the California State Divison II Cross Country Championships. Skillens 5K time of 15:36 at Woodward Park in Fresno ranked 10th overall among participants in all classifications at the California State Championships. On the track, Skillens is a long distance specialist who will focus on the 5000 and 10,000-meters races in college. |
