Sobrato senior runner Ryan Corvese doesn’t hide the Bulldogs’ expectations and goals for the 2012 racing season. He makes sure they are loud and clear, regardless of how bold they are.
With only three years of competitive running under his belt, Corvese and his teammates are aiming high in 2012.
“Over the summer, a lot of us got together and made a pretty clear goal for team to make state and the reality is, that is definitely possible,” he said. “There are three teams we have to beat – St. Ignatius, Mills, and Saratoga. Right now, it’s looking great.”
This year, Corvese has reasons to be excited for the Sobrato cross-country team. The state-hopeful is surrounded by two other runners – Cody Hulme and Christian Hughes – who have finished under 17 minutes to the start the season. And new head coach Tony King has brought optimism to the squad.
“Last year was really rough for everyone,” Corvese said. “This year with King has been great. He is doing whatever we need to do for us to have success. He has been great.”
With no cross country coaching experience, King relies on Corvese and girls captain Moria Foster to help the team improve. King just tries to motivate the team, he said.
“Their whole thing is leadership and their commitment to each other,” King said. “One of the things we said at the beginning was that they are a conduit of different sports that have come together in cross country. They are runners that are dedicated to nothing but running. And leadership has really pulled them together. I really see my role here as somebody that pulls them together when they need me to.”
And that has worked out great so far, Foster said.
“It’s been a really great experience with everyone putting their input in there,” she said. “We really share a lot of advice. We stay with the ones that aren’t doing as well. It’s team motivation. Everyone waits for the last person and gives a big ovation. It’s really inspirational.”
That teamwork has fed the team’s goals for a Blossom Valley Athletic League title, a Central Coast Section championship and a state berth, she said.
“We definitely want to do well in BVALs and work toward CCS,” she said. “We just want to improve our times.”
To do that, Corvese changed this workout plan during the offseason. While keeping a training log, Corvese has used a nutrition plan and running regiment to improve his time, he said. So far, that plan has cut nearly 40 seconds from his personal best.
“Coming out of last season, there was a big drive to compete at the top,” he said. “Since then I’ve had a strong winter and I’ve built a pretty huge base. The whole past year has been a solid block of training and everything is going pretty well.”
That includes a second-place finish at the Chieftain Classic earlier this month.
“I’ve been improving by cross-country time wise by a minute per year,” he said. “I don’t think that trend is going to stop now. I already opened up my season a good 40 seconds faster than I opened my season last year. And that wasn’t going all out.”
Entering this year, Corvese believes he doesn’t have a ceiling.
“I definitely haven’t come close to what I’m capable of yet,” he said. “The real goal – when I’m really going to chase people – is BVALs and state.”
The Bulldogs return to the track for their third league meet on Oct. 4 at Alum Rock Park. So far this year, Sobrato has taken first in both meets this year.
