Luis Luna: Piner, Sophomore, Cross Country

WHAT HE DID: In winning the Crystal Springs Invitational boys’ varsity race Saturday, Luna topped a field of 207 runners and led Piner to the team title. “That surprised me. There were a bunch of good runners. It was a hard course,” Luna said. The race on the rugged San Francisco Peninsula course came just three days after Luna recorded the ninth fastest time ever — and best by a sophomore — at Spring Lake Park, in Santa Rosa, during a North Bay League meet. He expects to improve on last year’s fifth place finish in the league finals. Luna followed up in track with the fifth fastest 3,200 meter time ever in the Redwood Empire.“He’s in pretty elite company,” said Piner head coach Luis Rosales. “He’s physically getting stronger. Mentally he’s tough. He’s a competitor. But there’s no arrogance about him, no bragging.”

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: While clearly a talented runner, Luna also works hard to improve. Training began during a July week in Mendocino County where the Piner team runs daily and camps outdoors. Slight and shy, Luna is a quiet leaderin Rosales’ rebuilding effort. “He does everything I want as far as his commitment level. The younger guys see that and it makes my life easier,” Rosales said.

GETTING BETTER: Luna decided to concentrate on running and gave up competitive soccer entering high school. “I love the races. It’s just so much fun,” he said. He attributes this season’s improved times to a simple approach: “I’m running more and eating healthier.” A 3.0 student, Luna’s favorite subjects are history and English. That he likes English reflects Luna’s effort to learn the language after moving to Santa Rosa from the state of Guanajuato, in centralMexico three years ago. “He works hard, and he’s such a humble kid,” Rosales said.