East LA Native Sets High Expectations for Season
by Cerwin D Haynes
(photos courtesy of ELAC Cross Country)
Two years ago when sports returned from Covid, Cross Country and Track & Field head coach Milton Browne began to implement a multi-year plan to get both sets of sports to a high level of competition. Evidence to suggest progress in his plans began to sprout last fall, where Sakura Divecchio became the first ELAC cross country athlete to earn an All-SCC selection in seven years. And last spring, freshman Fernando Valenzuela qualified for the 3C2A Track & Field Championships.
This fall, he believes that ELAC's Cross Country team will also represent at State with sophomore runner Marbella Flores, who also ran Track last spring. "I expect her to be one of the top conference and state runners," says Coach Browne. "Her improvement this year [from Track] has been based on her commitment to train, eat, and get better overall."
Coach Browne says Flores has the discipline to be one of the top conference and state runners. And she agrees.
"I want to be top in state," exclaims the sophomore. "I learned from last season that I have to stay consistent, [that] I have to adjust and adapt and make it work."
An East LA native, Flores discovered her passion during her days at Schurr HS. "I love running," states Flores. "it helps me be a better person, stay healthy, keep the lifestyle that I want."
It was important for Flores to "stay home" and join the Huskies. "I think a big part of coming to ELAC [was] meeting Coach Brown and my team," she explains. "I'm from East LA, and I've come to realize over the past few years is that competing at ELAC means a lot to me as a local kid."
"Running in college keeps me on the right track academically, keeps me focused on my grades. I know i can make an impact in my family and community."
Flores will not only #RUNWITHTHEPACK, but looks to lead it to fulfill her and Coach Browne's goals for this season.
HUSKY BITS
- Flores finished 2nd at the Moorpark Invite earlier this month with a time of 19:46.2. And she also was the top JUCO runner at last Friday's Biola University Invite with a time of 19:04.3 (she finished 11th overall).
UP NEXT:
East LA will trek the paths of El Dorado East Regional Park this Friday for the SoCal Regional Preview.