The journey to a fourth straight CIF-SS Division 4 title for the JSerra girls cross country team was nearly derailed before it began at the CIF-SS Divisional Finals.
Moments before the start of the Division 4 race, CIF-SS officials informed two members of the team that they would not be allowed to run because their shorts were not in concert with the rest of the team.
CIF rules state that uniforms (jersey and shorts or one-piece) must be the same color and design for each member in the competition.
Seniors Kayla Selenski and Marie Aquillino, the Lions’ projected 6th and 7th runners, decided in the best interest of the team to switch their shorts with the two members of the team that were told they were in violation and forego competing in the race.
The Lions, the only team in the race that competed with only five runners, won and had the fastest overall team time in the division.
Lions head coach Marty Dugard said the display of selflessness and sacrifice spoke volumes of the girls character and commitment to the team.
“Those girls did whatever they could for the team and it was amazing,” Dugard said.
Carrie Sherbourne, an assistant coach for the Lions, commended the girls for putting the team goals ahead of individual pursuits.
“Coach Dugard and I are so very proud of these girls and their exemplification of what it truly is to be a part of a team,” Sherbourne said in an email.
The Lions will look to cap their season with an unprecedented fourth straight Division 4 title Saturday at the CIF State Cross Country Championships.
