Long runs, early mornings, and countless miles, the Los Osos High School’s cross country team knows what it takes to push limits. This season, the runners are not only chasing personal records, but also building the kind of determination and teamwork that defines the sport.
Recently, the team competed at the Inland Empire Invitational, where several runners set personal records showcasing their hard work. The junior girls had placed first in their division creating a big confidence booster for our girls while also giving Los Osos a bigger name for the program.
Junior Teagen Bivens, a key runner who was a CIF finalist as a sophomore, continues to be a reliable leader for the team. According to Coach Oravets, she consistently “guarantees the team a high finish in every race.”
The boys’ team have also been showcasing their hard work at the Inland Empire Invitational. The varsity squad secured a strong overall finish, competing closely with some of the toughest programs in the region. More than half of the runners clocked personal bests, highlighting the team’s growing depth and determination.
Juniors Finn Lukkarila and Quinn Kessler, also known as the “twin towers”, have emerged as the front-runners. Oravets noted that “they will battle with the best of the Baseline League for a league title,” giving Los Osos the star power up front that the program has sometimes lacked in previous seasons.
As the season continues, both boys’ and girls’ squads are setting their sights on greater achievements. A new year calls for new goals, and Coach Oravets has made that clear, showing what the program is chasing. “We qualified both boys and girls teams to CIF in the same year for the first time in 17 years, so we want to build on that, making that the new normal,” he said.
That accomplishment has fueled the team’s determination this year, setting a reminder for every runner of what’s possible when you put hard work and dedication together. Oravets made a claim that the team’s depth has improved, especially on the girls side. The new runners, which are the freshmen, have also made an impactful debut on the group, which helps open more doors in getting closer to CIF.
With the strong mix of returning leaders and talented newcomers, the teams are on a non-stop journey to prove that CIF appearances are just the beginning. These athletes are grinding every day, improving with each practice. Each long mile helps bring them closer to new goals, also building strong friendships, and this season shows that the Grizzlies aren’t just running races, they’re building a legacy that will get more fierce by the season.
With each practice, each meet, and each personal record, the team constantly pushes the limits of what’s possible, inspiring future grizzlies.
For Los Osos, the finish is just the beginning. And so far, this season is only the start of a promising journey toward even greater achievements.