Hartnell cross country

What began as a vision two years ago has come into full focus for seven distance runners chasing one dream.

Reaching the men’s state cross country finals wasn’t a goal for the Panthers. It was an expectation. The objective all along has been to win a state team title.

"Something great was expected this year,’’ Hartnell distance ace Edgar Bonilla said. "It is happening. The momentum is growing. We are in the process of hopefully making more history."

A historic season comes to a climax Saturday when the Panthers compete in the State Community College cross country championships at Woodward Park in Fresno. The women's team will also be competing.

"I always see in terms of potential,’’ Hartnell coach Chris Zepeda said. "That is how I put this team together. Put in the hard work and then we will deal with expectations on how high we can go.’’

Hartnell, which wrestled away the Northern California team title two weeks ago from reigning state champion American River College, will go into the meet a slight underdog to southern section powers Mt. San Antonio and San Bernardino Valley.

"We felt last year we could have finished higher than we did,’’ said Zepeda, whose squad was fifth at the state finals last season — with seven freshmen.

All seven came back this season in better shape physically and in a better state of mind mentally for the four-month grind of chasing history.

"That’s part of the natural progression with sophomores,’’ Zepeda insisted. "This group complements each other, trains hard and works well together.’’

This isn’t uncharted waters for Zepeda, who took the women’s team to a second-place finish at last year’s state meet.

"We always talk about learning from both programs,’’ Zepeda said. "This has been a progression for this group since they arrived.’’

A group that includes Bonilla, a former Central Coast Section champion from King City, who will be one of the favorites for individual honors on Saturday along the 4-mile loop.

"Edgar was the one that got everyone excited to come here two years ago,’’ Zepeda said. "You need that one athlete that’s had success in high school for others to feed off of.’’

Bonilla made a statement last year for Hartnell by finishing ninth in the state. Two weeks ago he ran side by side with teammate Jorge Sanchez at the Northern California finals.

"Edgar had to adjust last year,’’ Zepeda said. "We had to understand each others goals. The fruits are obvious with what he’s done the last five meets. He’s not second guessing himself anymore.’’

It wasn’t that Bonilla wasn’t running with confidence last season. It was more about trusting what Zepeda was preaching and not being afraid to push himself and pull his teammates along with him.

"I had to mature a little bit,’’ Bonilla said. "I wasn’t used to that kind of coaching. There wasn’t an immediate connection. But it has worked out well. I have every right to go out with confidence.’’

Bonilla, who signed with San Jose State earlier this week to run cross country and track, has pushed Sanchez, an Alvarez High graduate, to new limits.

"I think if Edgar is chasing a state title, Jorge expects to be right with him,’’ Zepeda said. "Edgar can win this thing. He has to go when the leaders make a move. If it comes down to a kick, we feel he has an edge.’’

For the Panthers to chase the team title, Zepeda believes his first five have to be in the top 25 among 100-plus runners.

"The question mark in the back of my head is, ‘Did I create enough expectations without putting to much pressure on them?’" Zepeda said. "You can win a state title if you’re in the 70-80 point range.’’

One of the biggest surprises this year has been the development of Soledad grad Andrew Martinez, who has evolved into one of the state’s premier distance runners.

"Here is a guy that was getting his butt whipped in high school,’’ Zepeda said. "But he showed a lot of commitment. I pushed hard to get him here because I felt he’d do something great at the collegiate level."

Yet, getting Williams Ordaz to come back out was the missing piece of making the Panthers a state contender in Zepeda’s mind.

"He was an important figure in King City’s championship runs,’’ Zepeda said. "I felt he had just as much talent as the other guys. He showed some of the same abilities as others.’’

Ordaz, who had to work his way back into shape, caught up by putting in extra miles in the morning before practices started.

"When Williams walked into my door, I saw glimpses,’’ Zepeda said. "I felt if we could get everyone to have the same vision and make the same sacrifices, it won’t matter who we face.’’

The reputation of the Panthers program saw 21 runners compete for seven spots this year. That depth only enhanced the final spots, which belong to Oscar Mora Jr., Mario Perez Jr. and Angel Mejia Jr.

"We’ve tried to treat this week like a normal week,’’ Bonilla said. "I know it’s not. But you can’t magnify the event. All meets are an extended workout. This one will just be a little harder.’’