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The Los Gatos boys ran to the state cross-country championship this fall. Members of the team include (front row, left to right) Jeff Hoeft, Tomas Viramontes and Greg Tolan, and (back row, left to right) coach Willie Harmatz, Clay McKell, Russ Martin, Darren Key and Matt Bates.
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Gatos boys run to state championship
By Dick Sparrer
Back in 1980, Los Gatos had the best boys' cross-country team in the state.
But it was unofficial recognition at best. There was no state meet at the time, and the Wildcats claimed the honor in much the same way as the national champion is determined in college football--by rankings.
Still, that was the only state title in school history for the Los Gatos boys. The only state title, that is, until last Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats made it official last weekend when they outran the field to take the state Division III championship. The Cats ran up a low 87 points to finish first in the 22-team field, well ahead of runnerup Nordoff (108 points) and Norwalk (119).
The Los Gatos girls, meanwhile, finished a solid ninth in the 22-team state meet behind a sensational individual effort by junior Michelle Beritzhoff, who finished 12th overall and set a school record in the process.
But it was the boys who ran into the spotlight.
"We won the state because we wanted it more than anyone else," said a happy Gatos coach, Willie Harmatz, after the win. "We counted on each other to come through."
And come through they did. Seniors Russ Martin, Matt Bates and Tomas Viramontes managed brilliant efforts to lead Gatos to the state crown.
Martin finished fifth, covering the 3.1-mile course at Woodward Park in Fresno in 15:46. Bates was close behind in sixth in 15:55 and Viramontes finished 11th in 16:05.
"Russ, Matt and Tomas ran just great," said Harmatz, who announced after the victory his plans to retire as the Gatos boys cross-country coach after an impressive 22-year career (though he will remain involved with the girls' team). "Matt was actually leading at one and a half miles."
Seniors Darren Key and Greg Tolan rounded out the top five with solid efforts for the Cats. Key was 29th in 16:24 and Tolan ran 36th in 16:38.
"Darren was closer to our top three than ever before--it was his best race ever," added Harmatz. "And Greg also made our all-time top 15."
All five of the Cats made the all-time top 15, in fact, and they recorded a new school record for team time.
Senior Jeff Hoeft finished 49th in 16:48 and junior Clay McKell trimmed 24 seconds off of his personal best to finish 109th in 18:01.
"We had six of seven runners run personal best times," said Harmatz of Martin, Bates, Viramontes, Key, Tolan and McKell. Viramontes was also presented the state's sportsmanship award at the awards ceremony.
The state title follows two years where the Wildcats were close to state glory. The Wildcats were third in 1998 and fourth in '99.
"The last two years' experience prepared us mentally on how to race more effectively in this pressure meet," said Harmatz. "We knew what to expect and how to push ourselves to the limits."
"They ran with no fear," he added. "They wanted to prove they were the best. Our focus showed great determination."
Beritzhoff led the Gatos girls to a team ninth with her 12th-place finish. The junior ran 18:40 to tie the school record set by Monica Daley in 1985.
"The last three meets of the season were absolutely tremendous," said Harmatz of the Gatos girls, who won league and Central Coast Section titles before becoming the ninth team in LG history to place in the top 10 at state. "We came together as a team and became one of the best teams in Los Gatos history."
"The improvement has been most impressive," he added. "I'm proud of everyone."
All seven Wildcats ran personal bests at state. Beritzhoff cut 25 seconds off her previous best to finish 12th, and Ashley Caldwell trimmed an incredible 2:51 off her personal best to nail 56th in 19:40.
Lynsey Harris was 60th in 19:43, bettering her best by 53 seconds, and Erica Williams was 75th in 20:07, cutting her best by 1:57.
"Ashley and Lynsey each ran another big PB," said Harmatz, "and Erica ran a fantastic last mile."
The top four Gatos finishers each made the school's all-time list.
Jen Rubnitz was fifth in 20:38 with Kristi Yackle 128th in 21:02 and Marisa Teel 159th in 22:06.
All seven Wildcats will return next season.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
