Ventura County Star
Saturday, December 27, 2008

Heyden Wooff - Camarillo

Wooff exploded upon the state cross country stage this fall, turning out some of the fastest times ever by a sophomore at the Woodbridge Invitational and on the famed Mount San Antonio College three-mile course. The Ventura County and Pacific View League champion was ninth at the CIF Division II state championships and fourth at the section final. Wooff maintains a 4.0 GPA. His hobbies include running and playing the drums. His favorite movie is "The Shooter". The Red Hot Chili Peppers is his favorite band. Wooff's favorite meal is barbecue ribs. He enjoys watching the TV program South Park.

James Goldstein - Oak Park

Goldstein was voted by area coaches as the Ventura County junior class runner of the year. He was the runner-up at the county championships and the Tri-Valley League finals. At the CIF Division III championships, Goldstein placed ninth. He followed that up by taking 36th at the state championships. The junior is a three-time Oak Park MVP. Off the course, Goldstein serves as a student ambassador for the school. Nothing tastes better than pancakes made from his mother's recipe. The Office is Goldstein's favorite TV show. His favorite team is the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Kevin Joerger - Thousand Oaks

A straight A student since middle school, the junior was a key member of a Lancers' team that scored the program's first section title in more than a decade. Joerger was never better than when competing in major meets, placing third at Pepperdine, 12th at the section final and 26th at the state championships. Joerger's favorite movie is "The Dark Knight". He enjoyed watching the TV program Mobile Home Disaster. For snacks, Joerger likes eating fortune cookies. Six-time U.S. distance running champion Abdi Abdirahman, nicknamed "The Black Cactus" is Joerger's favorite athlete. His favorite book is "Once a Runner".

Sean Gildea - Thousand Oaks

A leader by example, Gildea placed eighth at the Division II section final and 11th at the state championships as Thousand Oaks brought home championship and runner-up trophies, respectively. His best time for 5,000 meters was 15 minutes, 19 seconds. The senior is right in front in the classroom as well, scoring 800 on his Math II and SAT II exams as well as 2030 on his SAT. A perfect meal for Gildea is barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, corn, a glass of milk and an apple cinnamon muffin. Gildea's favorite movie is "Happy Gilmore". He enjoys listening to the band Rise Against.

Asher Lober - Thousand Oaks

In some ways, Lober is old school. "Grapes of Wrath" is his favorite movie and Woody Guthrie is his favorite singer. There was nothing old school about his success as an athlete. The Thousand Oaks senior placed seventh at the Division II section final and 17th at the state championships. Owning a 4.3 GPA, the AP scholar has met the Eligibility in the Local Context academic qualifications. Rice and beans serve as his favorite meal. For hobbies, Lober enjoys gardening, baking, walking and reading.

Travis Edwards - Royal

Overcoming an injury that threatened his season, the junior made a huge impact the second half of the season for Royal. In helping the Highlanders to third place at the Division I section final, Edwards was 17th individually. At the state championships, he placed 11th as Royal surged to fifth as a team. Celery or broccoli rate as his food of choice. His hobby is studying the dictionary. He enjoys watching Dr. Phil or Oprah Winfrey on TV.

Paul Jesson - Royal

Jesson peaked at the right time for the Highlanders. The junior was 30th at the CIF State Division I Championships and 30th at the CIF section final as well as placing eighth at the section Prelims. At the Mount San Antonio College Invitational, Jesson was 17th, helping Royal win its heat. Jesson finished 71st at the Woodbridge Invitational sweepstakes race.

Sean Davidson - Royal

One of the section's top sophomores, Davidson put a personal stamp on the final two races of the season. Davidson placed 24th at the Division I section final and 33rd at the state championships in Fresno. Davidson was 84th at the Woodbridge Invitational sweepstakes race. At the Marmonte League Finals, Davidson was 11th.

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