When you have one of the nation's best runners competing in your program, it's only natural that great expectations should follow.
But Evans' ability to guide the Pioneers to both their first Southern Section Div. II girls' cross country and girls' track and field titles was as much about developing belief in his student-athletes and depth in his rosters as it was about the contributions of Sarah Baxter.
Simi Valley became the second program in area history and just the sixth in the Southern Section to win both titles in the same school year.
The Pioneers ended Saugus' five-year reign as section cross country champion, before the Centurions - led by former coach of the year honoree Rene Paragas - rebounded to win a sixth consecutive state title, with a disqualification resulting in Simi Valley placing fourth. The Pioneers bounced back to take 11th in their Nike Cross Nationals debut, one spot ahead of the Centurions.
With six individuals competing in a total of nine events, including the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays, Simi Valley edged Cajon by five points for its first track and field crown.
Although Baxter captured individual titles in both sports, it was the leadership demonstrated in cross country by seniors Erika Barr and Karla Vernola, and the versatility showcased in track and field by Amanda Hamilton and Madisen Richards that were crucial in the Pioneers' success, allowing Evans to produce one of the most impressive coaching
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HONORABLE MENTION
JON ELLINGHOUSE,Sierra Canyon football: In addition to leading the Trailblazers to their first Southern Section East Valley Division title in only their third season of 11-man football, Ellinghouse also helped Sierra Canyon become the first local team since 2006 to win a state bowl game and just the second in area history to finish 15-0.
CHRIS EVANS/ROB EVANS, Golden Valley cross country, track and field: Although they have decided not to return to coach this upcoming school year, the brothers left a legacy in the Grizzlies' athletic program, capturing Southern Section and state boys' cross country titles in Div. II - the school's first in any sport - in addition to guiding Golden Valley to an 11 th-place finish in its Nike Cross Nationals debut. They also helped the Grizzlies share their first Foothill League boys' track and field title.
TRAVIS KIKUGAWA,
Viewpoint soccer, tennis: Led three Patriots teams to the Southern Section playoffs, including the boys' tennis program to a third consecutive Div. IV title and the seventh in school history. Kikugawa also guided the girls' soccer team to the Div. VII semifinals, losing to champion Citrus Valley, and the girls' tennis squad to the Div. IV second round.
TRAY MEEKS,
Alemany boys' basketball
Turned around a program that had posted five losing records in a six-year span before last season to guide the Warriors to Mission League, Southern Section Div. III-A and Div. III state championships, becoming the team from theleague's first to do so since Harvard-Westlake (1997).SUE SHERMAN, Buckley tennis: It was an impressive enough achievement for Sherman to lead the Griffins to their fourth consecutive Southern Section girls' final, resulting in back-to-back Div. IV championships. But Buckley also enjoyed another significant accomplishment by reaching its first Div. IV boys' title match, losing to rival Viewpoint.
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