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Team Captains
As Captains we want to continue on the legacy of Thousand Oaks Cross Country--a competitive team that has state, CIF, and league titles on both sides, and a fun team known throughout the state for our TOXC capes and goofy antics at meets. We encourage new runners to really buy into our team and into our program, and to get everything they can out of the joy of running with friends. If anyone comes into TOXC ready to run and to work hard they'll get more out of it than they put in; all of us captains can attest to that.
We welcome all new runners; welcome to the TOXC family! And to all returning runners, welcome back. Keep up the hard work from years past and you'll be amazed to see where you'll get!
Your 2018 TOXC Captains
Angela Voelker, Samhal Asfaw, Tallula Auman, Jalyn Mayer
Eric Longo, Ethan Bersley, Bryce Whitworth, Mitchell Burr, Vianey Ellison
Ethan Bersley
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Nickname: Bersley
Favorite subject in school: Math and Chemistry
I’m really good at: Math and video games
Favorite quote: "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden
Hidden talent: Catching thrown eggs
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? I started running for TOXC in my freshman year, and I really enjoyed the team environment. Encouragement from other athletes helped me to improve and get where I am now.
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? My goal for the cross country team this year is making sure everyone improves and becomes a better athlete.
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Tallula Auman
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Nickname: T
Favorite subject in school: English/arts or Science
I'm really good at: Guessing the criminal in mysteries (novels & TV shows)
Theme Song: Put your records on -Corinne Bailey Rae
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? Has been amazing!!! When I first joined the program as a freshman I had no clue what to expect of my peers, my coaches and myself. But I was presently surprised!! With warm welcomes, inviting coaches and fun teammates, I was welcomed into this huge family and grew within the program to discover that I am capable of much more than I thought. I found success in pushing against my limit mentally and physically and I have amazing coaches, teammates and myself to thank for all of my achievements.
As a captain, what are you goals for the team going into the TOXC season? As a captain this cross country season, I am excited to meet all of the new runners and continue the Thousand Oaks Cross Country legacy of success. During the long preseason summer training and the fall season, I want to keep the team spirits and positivity as high as they were the first day of practice. I hope that everyday can be a fun experience for every person on TOXC and that people will love coming to practice! I also want to bring the new runners into the cross country family that I have grown to love and become so close to. I am so excited to see what this season will hold!
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Mitchell Burr
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Nickname: Mitchy
Favorite subject in school: The center
Performance you are most proud of: Running the 800 meter race
Theme song: How Bad can I possibly be -The Lorax
Hidden talent: Simultaneously dancing while singing perfectly to any son ever written
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? Being in TOXC has given me a type of family that I wouldn't trade for in the world. Three of my best friends have came from being in this team and I am so happy I got to meet each one of them through running.
As a captain, what are you goals for the team going into the TOXC season? My goals for this season keeping in mind a captain mindset is to help bring the team together as well as bring them far into the season. Believing is the first step on the way to succeed. In other words you have to allow yourself to succeed in order to be successful. I believe, so y'all have to believe in yourself.
Other Comments: Freshman- don't be afraid to run up in the front and try not to get offended if some guys tell you to relax or go slower, they are right 40 percent of the time.
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Samhal Asfaw
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Nickname: Samhalitu
Favorite subject in school: Chemistry
I'm really good at: Rock Paper Scissors 2017 Big Bear Champion
Theme song: The kids are alright - ChloexHalle
Hidden talent: Hidden for a reason
When did you start running? What got you interested? I started running in 8th grade with TO Flyers cross country. Honestly, the main reason I joined was because I needed a sport but eventually came to love it.
As a captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? For this season, my goal is to becoming a tighter family with strong ambitions and goals leading us to leave everything out there for each other on race day.
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Vianey Ellison
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Nickname: Vinny
Favorite subject in school: Chemistry
I’m really good at: Pushing the Hills! Also, point out a bird song during a run and I'll name the bird
Favorite quote: "Truth is like poetry. And most people hate poetry." -Unknown
Hidden talent: I play the violin
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? First interested and inspired by TOXC athletes who rose from little and became very skilled.
As a captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? My goal is that both guys and girls teams contend far into the post-season and also have a great last year on the team
Other Comments: I bring a giant speaker to practice every day and play me in Pokemon Showdown my username is Sundodger. You can probably tell I'm excited for this season.
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Jalyn Mayer
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Nickname: J
Favorite Subject in school: Computer Science
Performance Most Proud of: Ventura County Champs 3200
Favorite Quote: "Hey Ya!" -OutKast
Hidden Talent: I can demolish anyone in tic-tack toe.
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? My first experience with distance running was with TOXC. I didn't really like running but I joined to make new friends and avoid PE. However, somewhere along the way, I fell in love with running. It is one of the most difficult things you can do, but it is one of the most rewarding. Through this program, I have made my closest friends, and I gained confidence from being able to do tough things. TOXC is my family.
As a Captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? My goal as captain this year is for every athlete to finish his/her last race feeling accomplished about what they were able to achieve this season.
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Eric Longo
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Nickname: Longoooooooooooooooo
Favorite Subject in school: For academics it's Math and English. Really, I enjoy all subjects. (Lunch with friends is fun too!)
I’m really good at: Sports! I especially love XC. I am pretty good at making things fun while still getting the work done. I love hanging out with people, always trying to keep it exciting and enjoyable for everyone.
Theme Song: Young, Dumb & Broke - Khalid (at least for now...)
Hidden Talent: Singing, no requests please!
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? My experience with TOXC has been up-and-down, not without major hills, roadblocks and injuries, but has definitely been the most enjoyable and most impactful thing in my life. It has taught me so many life lessons in addition to the fun and friends it provides.
As a Captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? Going into this season for TOXC, as it should be every season, I want every person on the team to feel like they are a part of something special because it truly is. From a performance standpoint, I want each team to win a league title and for the varsity teams to bring home a state title for TOXC. I want this year to exceed this program's long history of excellence, but at the same time making it the most enjoyable part of everyone's day. Not only do I want everyone to run faster than they ever thought possible, but I would also like to see every athlete on the team apply the same lessons of hard work and dedication to all aspects of their lives, for now in school and later into adulthood. In all, TOXC would be a success this year if each person should take away valuable life skills through running in addition to being a part of unbreakable family that knows how to win and have fun.
Other Comments: "One's limits are only as far as one decides to make them," -Eric Longo
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Angela Voelker
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Nickname: Bangela! Or grandma, but Bangela has lasted longer and I like it more. :)
Favorite Subject in school: I am really into Biology focusing in on microbiology and animal sciences. I have always loved learning about the interactions of organisms in ecosystems and how their actions as well as ours impact the planet.
Performance most proud of: One of my performances was at Mt Sac when I was a sophomore. I remember I was really scared because I was racing alone, but I decided that I was going to give it my all. In the races preceding Mt. Sac I was feeling disappointed in how I had been racing, and I did not want to feel disappointed in myself again. So I decided I was going to get a medal and crush the hills on that course, and I did just that.
Favorite Quote: "Brave."- Sara Bareilles
Hidden Talent: I grew up speaking Italian and can understand pretty well, and speak a little more
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? I would descibe my experience in TOXC as fullfilling but challenging. The workouts, runs and races are hard, but it is so much fun to go out everyday and hand out with my friends. the Races are so much fun, there is energy and aura, and I love cheering after racing with the capes and flags. It is just such an amazing experience every day. I started running in youth track up until 6th grade, and then I took a break in 7th and 8th grade. I decided to come back to running and stop volleyball when I realized I missed running with a team and pushing my body and its limits.
As a Captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? As a captian, my goals for the team are to have us put in hard work not just on race day but everyday so we can enjoy racing and can perform well. Another goal I have for the team is that I want to see people working on an overall more positive attitude and removing unncessary negativity.
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Bryce Whitworth
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Nickname: Mr. Whitworth
Favorite Subject in school: Chemistry
I’m really good at: I'm pretty good at crocheting
Favorite Quote: "Smiling's my favorite." - Buddy the Elf
Hidden Talent: Chinese yoyo skills
How would you describe your experience with Thousand Oaks Cross Country? TOXC has been like a fmily at school. We get so close you can't help but miss the other athletes, and the inside jokes, as they leave.
As a Captain, what are your goals for the team going into the TOXC season? My goals for the 2018 XC season as a captain include 1) Continuing the TOXC family legacy 2) Helping all the athletes grow as individuals and 3) Helping the incoming freshman enjoy the benefits of running brings, even when it hurts.
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