Venice High’s cross-country teams are adapting their training to a changing race schedule: speed work for a flat course at the Bell Gardens Invitational and hill and strength training for the return to Pierce College’s hilly course. A mix of workouts, recovery days and teammate support has helped build early-season momentum.

By the Numbers
  • Benjamin Hoggatt: 17:31 at Pierce College.
  • Owen Kleinhans: 18:41 at Pierce College.
  • Lidia Vatterot: 23:09 at Pierce College.
Yes, But

The team is preparing for two distinct course demands: Bell Gardens is mostly flat, while Pierce College’s course is hilly again after last year’s flatter route. Training must balance speed with hill strength and recovery.

State of Play
  • The Gondoliers have already raced at Pierce College, where freshmen and sophomores experienced the course for the first time.
  • They are preparing for the Bell Gardens Invitational and upcoming league meets at Pierce College.
Bottom Line

Venice is building flexibility into its training so runners can handle very different courses—and is pairing that preparation with the team chemistry that helps sustain performance.