Head coach
Scott Guerrero, entering his 22
nd season at the helm of the Loyola Marymount men's and women's cross country and track and field teams, has added 15 new members to its signing class for the 2019-20 season.
Competing for the Lions this year are freshmen Sebastian Belkin, Leoluca Cannuscio, Shane Ely, Nolan Getchell, Cooper McCarthy, Ethan Monarski, Roberto Ruelas, Jacob Villegas, Avery Doan, Gabriela Hernandez, Marina Soares and transfers Roc Johnson, Samantha Barajas, Rebecca Collins and Cynthia Melendez.
"We are excited to welcome 15 new faces to the Lions family, a group that will make an immediate impact on our team. We have five transfers, a record for our program, who we expect will bring wisdom and leadership to our relatively young squad," said Guerrero. "There's a solid group of 11 true freshmen with lots of upside. Most come from the west coast, a handful come from Colorado and Roc Johnson, a California native transferring from Cornell University. We can't wait to see what this group can do."
For the men's team Guerrero welcomes nine new Lions:
Sebastian Belkin
Bainbridge High School – Bainbridge Island, Wash.
3200: 9:38
5k XC: 15:22
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"The focus of my first season at LMU is to be tough and improve. Hopefully good results will follow hard work both in the classroom and between the tape."
Leoluca Cannuscio
Montgomery Blair High School – Takoma Park, Mary.
800: 1:58
1600: 4:22
3200: 9:58
5k XC: 16:22
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU for its great programs, beautiful campus and rich culture. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew this school would be a great fit."
Shane Ely
Sunny Hills High School – Fullerton, Calif.
800: 1:57
1600: 4:20
3 mile XC: 15:02
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU because of the great reputation of the school and its ideal location in Los Angeles."
Nolan Getchell
Legend High School – Parker, Colo.
1600: 4:16*
3200: 9:23
5k XC: 15:49
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU because of the great academic and athletic programs it has to offer, the location, and then many religious opportunities."
Roc Johnson
Cornell University (Transfer)
De La Salle High School – Walnut Creek, Calif.
1500: 3:51
3k Steeplechase: 9:11
8k XC: 25:02
10k XC: 34:36
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"To make an impact on the team's performance at Conference and move up the ranks as a squad."
Cooper McCarthy
Sir Francis Drake High School – Fairfax, Calif.
800: 1:59
1600: 4:15
3200: 9:21
5k XC: 15:49
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"I want to do LMU proud both on the course/track and in the classroom and have a little fun along the way."
Ethan Monarski
Peak to Peak High School – Lafayette, Colo.
1600: 4:27*
3200: 9:46*
5k XC: 16:02
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU for a few different reasons. It offered an academic opportunity that would educate me in all engineering curriculum I could want, while keeping me well informed in other areas through the Jesuit teaching style. The people and feel of the campus; it's stellar. It felt very welcoming and seemed like a place I could call home. Finally, the team was the first group that reminded me of the bonds I made with my teammates in high school."
Roberto Ruelas
Loyola High School – Los Angeles, Calif.
800: 2:00
1600: 4:25
3200: 9:34
5k XC: 15:40
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"For my first season as a Lion, my goals are to continuously grow and improve as an athlete and to contribute in any way possible to the success of the team."
Jacob Villegas
Ayala High School – Chino, Calif.
Personal Records:
1600: 4:23
3200: 9:20
5000: 14:55
5k XC: 15:54
Why LMU?
"The reason I chose LMU was because it is a Catholic college, the location is perfect, the Cross Country team is outstanding and the environment makes me feel right at home."
On the women's side, three freshmen and four transfers will add depth to the Lions squad:
Samantha Barajas
Cal Poly Pomona (Transfer)
Simi Valley High School – Simi Valley, Calif.
1500: 4:42
5000: 17:20
5k XC: 18:02
6k XC: 22:00
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU because the team and coaches made me feel comfortable and right at home. I connected with the girls super quickly and that's something that was important to me. The coaches are amazing and made me feel like I will be able to accomplish all my future goals for cross country and track. LMU is a great school academically and they have a small student to teacher ratio, which is something I love because it's important to me to be close to my professors to get as much help as possible throughout the school year to reach my academic goals as well."
Rebecca Collins
De Anza Community College (Transfer)
Mountain View High School – Mountain View, Calif.
5k XC: 20:57
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"My main goal is to create an atmosphere where my coaches and teammates thrive off of one-another's passion, positive attitudes and drive. I have always made this my goal when coming into a new season as I feel I can grow as an individual and athlete. I want to represent LMU in the best way possible and grow in my passion and love for running. All in all, I desire to learn life-long skills that I know this program and experience will provide to set me up for success in my future."
Avery Doan
Eagle Valley High School – Gypsum, Colo.
1600: 5:13*
3200: 11:21*
5k XC: 17:55
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU because I feel like it's the perfect place for me to achieve both my athletic and academic goals. I'm excited to get the chance to live and run in LA and experience opportunities that I normally wouldn't encounter in my hometown."
Gabriela Hernandez
Vacaville High School – Vacaville, Calif.
1600: 5:04
3200: 10:54
5k XC: 18:42
Why LMU?
"I was attracted to the recognition of academic excellence this school promotes; I knew I would be getting a worthwhile education. I wanted to go to a smaller school and I loved the team and coaches. LMU felt like a place where I'll be able to grow over the next four years."
Cynthia Melendez
West Los Angeles College (Transfer)
3000: 10:48
5k XC: 18:15
Why LMU?
"I chose LMU for the balance of prestigious academics and a running program which will require me to challenge myself on and off the field."
Marina Soares
Granite Bay High School – Granite Bay, Calif.
5k XC: 18:41
What are your goals for your first season as a Lion?
"My goal for this Cross Country season is to improve my times and get to know the team and build close relationships that will motivate me to work for my teammates towing the line next to me."
*time adjusted for altitude
