CROSS COUNTRY: RAMIREZ BACK TO HEALTH : VERSATILE SENIOR INVOLVED IN MANY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News Skyler Ramirez has seen the ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits of the Hart High boys' cross country team the past two years. The Indians senior has also experienced many of his own. Hart won 13 Foothill League titles in a row from 1983-95, including a record three state Division I titles and a mythical national championship A mythical national championship (often abbreviated MNC) is a national championship that is won without a tournament to determine an undisputed national champion. This term is most often used in the United States to describe the NCAA Division I-A college football champion, during that span. The league-title streak, however, ended in Ramirez's first year on varsity as a sophomore in 1996. Hart finished an agonizing fourth in the league championships the past two years, one place away from the final qualifying berth for the Southern Section preliminaries. Hart, however, will make its return to postseason competition Saturday in the Southern Section Division I preliminaries at Mt. San Antonio College Mt. San Antonio College (commonly called Mt. SAC; pronounced as the word "sack") is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Walnut, California, next to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona which is just over a hill. Mt. after finishing third in the Foothill League finals last week. For Ramirez, one of five seniors along with Eric Peatman, Coby King, Ryan Tominaga and Julio Solano Julio Cesar Solano (born January 8, 1960 in Agua Blanca, D.R.), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-89 as a relief pitcher. Teams
``My goal was to make it to CIF (1) (Common Intermediate Format) A standard video format used in videoconferencing. CIF formats are defined by their resolution, and standards both above and below the original resolution have been established. The original CIF is also known as Full CIF (FCIF). every year,'' Ramirez said. ``I've known we have a chance and we've come so close. We're finally running solid.'' So is Ramirez, who has been hit by a variety of unusual ailments. As a sophomore, Ramirez was slowed with a mysterious hip injury in which his hip constantly popped out of its joint. To further compound his troubles, he pulled his hamstring shortly before league finals. The summer between his sophomore and junior years, Ramirez sprouted from 5-7 to 5-11 in four months. The growth spurt growth spurt Pediatrics A period of rapid growth in middle adolescence; ♀ ↑ ±8 cm/yr ±age 12; ♂ ↑ ±10 cm/yr ± age 14; GS is orderly, affecting acral parts–ie, hands and feet grow before proximal regions, wreaked havoc, causing myriad knee and back injuries. Then Ramirez was sidelined for much of his junior track season after he was diagnosed with anemia. To top it off, Ramirez also has asthma. ``He has always been tough and dealt with it,'' Solano said. This fall, Ramirez finally seems to have it all under control. He has been free of injury and illness and been a solid No. 4 runner for Hart. In the Clovis Invitational in·vi·ta·tion·al adj. Restricted to invited participants: an invitational golf tournament. n. An event, especially a sports tournament, restricted to invited participants. Adj. 1. last month, he ran 17:21 on the 5,000-meter course at Woodward Park Woodward Park (34 acres) is a public park, botanical garden, and arboretum located between 21st Street and 24th Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It is open to the public daily. in Fresno used for the state championships. Ramirez also clocked 18:00 at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. for his best on the Indians' 3-mile home layout. ``We've had high hopes for him since his sophomore year,'' Hart coach Larry David said. ``It was puzzling because of the assortment of nagging things. We've been a little cautious for the past two years in training. He is finally getting back to where he probably would have been last year and is having a big year for us.'' Still, Ramirez concedes there were many occasions when he considered hanging up his racing flats Racing flats or simply flats, are lightweight athletic shoes designed for long distance Track and Field, Cross Country, and most often - Road races. They differ from normal training shoes mainly by the lack of a substantial heel (hence the name). the last two years. Ramirez credits David for helping him to maintain his focus during that tumultuous period. `` He is pretty much my inspiration,'' Ramirez said about David. ``Whenever I was stressing, he would tell me a joke to get my mind off it. There was no way I could have made it to CIF without him pushing me every step of the way. There were times when I considered whether it was all worth it, but this year is awesome. I feel faster and stronger.'' This year, Ramirez also has an accelerated daily schedule with advance-placement classes in calculus, history, Spanish and composition. He maintains a 4.6 grade-point average and ranks second in Hart's senior class. Ramirez has received all A's in high school. His lowest grades at Placerita Junior High were a pair of B's, both, ironically, in physical education. This summer, Ramirez, who plans to attend Brigham Young and major in political science, was Hart's representative in Boys' State in Sacramento where his peers elected him as district attorney. Every morning at 6 a.m. before school, he attends seminary in Valencia. Ramirez has also added the duties of commissioner of technology. He was appointed by the Hart associated student body to be in charge of the sound system at Indians pep rallies and sporting events. ``Sometimes I am so wiped out when I get home, I go to sleep on the couch On the Couch is an Australian television program formally broadcast on the Fox Footy Channel and it focuses on the current issues in the AFL. This is now broadcast on Fox Sports after the closure of Fox Footy Channel. The show airs on Monday night and is hosted by Gerard Healy. ,'' Ramirez said. It's not uncommon to see Ramirez in his car before school, listening to the radio and catching up on his homework. Although schoolwork and running are high priorities, Ramirez said he has attempted not to become obsessed ob·sess v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es v.tr. To preoccupy the mind of excessively. v.intr. with either. ``My whole attitude is life is meant to be enjoyed and everything in moderation,'' Ramirez said. ``I like to go out with my friends on a late Friday or Saturday night even it it means staying up late Sunday night Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, was an NBC late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. to finish an essay. Running has become a part of my life and a way for me to unwind in the afternoon after school.'' TIME TRIAL What: Southern Section preliminaries When: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. Where: Mt. San Antonio College Details:The Hart High boys' cross country team finished third in the Foothill League finals to earn its first postseason berth since 1995. The Saugus boys, ranked fifth in the state, and the Canyon boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. will also compete for a berth in the Nov. 21 finals at Mt. SAC. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box PHOTO Hart High senior Skyler Ramirez, an excellent student, helped the Indians cross country team qualify for the Southern Section Division I prelims. Myung J. Chun/Daily News BOX: TIME TRIAL (See text) |
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