This year the Fillmore High School Cross Country Mammoth Lakes Summer Camp participation was at an all time high. For more than six weeks during the hot summer days over forty runners kicked off their season of running to prepare for the upcoming season. As a result and the combined efforts of coaches, parents and supporters, we were able to invite twenty seven high school runners to the 4th annual Mammoth Lakes Summer Camp for an intense running week. These athletes were put to the test of high altitude training over a course of six days. Every morning the team rose bright and early to run anywhere between four and ten miles on various types of terrain in the Inyo National Forest. The Fillmore High School athletes had many opportunities to test their running ability up hills, across mountains and through large meadows. In addition, the athletes had many bonding moments of which friendships, team bonding and the sense of team were heightened. A memorable moment occurred during a hike up to Crystal Lake where in the summer time they were able to have a full on snow ball fight. An unexpected element caught them by surprise and turned into a moment of a new experience, and a moment of laughter that resonated through the entire team. As a result, this year’s camp stood out over all the rest, for one the numbers greatly increased but more importantly it stood out because this large group came together as a team and learned how to work together to accomplish their goals.

Prior to the Mammoth Summer Camp, the athletes had a base of six weeks of training, three of which were mandatory and three of which they had to train on their own. The runners started fundraising for the trip back in June where they held two car washes. In addition friends, family and various businesses came through and sponsored the athletes. We would like to thank the following businesses for their support, Farmer’s Insurance, State Farm Insurance, La Plaza Market, William L. Morris, La Unica, The Fillmore Water Store, 7-Eleven, 99 cent store, NV Sports, F.G. Bryce and Associates, Patterson Hardware, Vons, AM Pet, Fillmore Animal Hospital, La Fondita, La Michoacana, Re/Max, Vallarta’s, Victor’s Market and all the parents, families and friends for making possible this great opportunity for these runners. I would like to extend a special thanks to our parents who volunteered to chaperone the trip, Joel and Kathy Frias, Bill and Hope Chavez and Anthony Tafoya. We appreciate all the support and dedication you constantly give to the team. Thank you for the great meals and the security of knowing you are there to support the runners and coaches in the program. Our mission this year for the cross country program is to prepare for the expected difficult year ahead of us. Our program is built on dedication, desire and discipline. The runners have set goals for this season, and are working hard every day to prepare for the upcoming season. We are really excited this year and believe this summer program and camp has helped our team grow both individually and as a team. Please join us at our first race at the Seaside Invitational located at the Ventura State Beach on September 9th at 2:00pm, as we kick off our cross country season. Hope to see you there.