Centurions comforted by outpouring of goodwill from parents, runners, coaches and administrators at Southern Section finals, the first races for boys and girls teams since Nov. 14 tragedy

By Landon Negri for DyeStat

The support flowed in waves Saturday morning, and it came from everywhere, just as it has for the past 10 days.

Opposing teams wore T-Shirts donning the words, “Saugus Strong.” A league foe showed up at practice this week with care packages.

And one of the biggest section rivals offered words of respect and comfort.

Indeed, the cross country community in Southern California has wrapped its arms around the Saugus High program.

SAUGUS COACH RENE PARAGAS DISCUSSES AFTERMATH OF NOV. 14 CAMPUS SHOOTING

The Centurions responded Saturday in the CIF Southern Section championship meet at the Riverside City Cross Country Course with toughness, resolve and grit. Saugus’ girls, perhaps expected to be the section’s closest pursuer to eight-time champion Great Oak, finished a strong second to the Wolfpack in the Division 1 race.

Ten days ago, Saugus was rocked by a fatal, on-campus shooting in its quad in which two students subsequently died. It was later revealed the shooter, who himself died the following day, Nov. 15, was a junior varsity cross country runner.

The Southern Section subsequently chose to waive both Saugus boys and girls teams through the section prelims to Saturday’s finals.

In the time between, Saugus veteran coach Rene Paragas said he and his athletes have learned a lot.

“It’s been a long, trying week, something I couldn’t put into words to describe,” Paragas said. “But yes, we wanted to try to put aside what has happened – never forget, that’s not what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to get back to living a healthy, happy life; taking a tragedy and trying to make a positive out of it.”

Support has been overwhelming.

“I’m amazed how the world has come together,” Paragas said. “And what I mean by that is just everyone around us, from the city of Saugus and Santa Clarita. The other teams in the Foothill League have been amazing. Golden Valley came to our practice and gave us 110 care packages on Wednesday. Valencia High School is here wearing Saugus shirts today.

“So many coaches and runners have reached out to myself and the program,” he added. “It’s amazing. And I hope that this kind of goodwill doesn’t end. It doesn’t have to end.”

Hannah Fredericks, a junior, led the way Saturday for the Centurions, placing third in the Division 1 race behind winner Hana Catsimanes of San Clemente and runner-up Dalia Frias of Mira Costa. Fredericks was third in the 3-mile race in 17 minutes, 33.1 seconds.

“I think we’ve been shown an unbelievable amount of support that has definitely brought our teams together,” Fredericks said. “We’re just really appreciative of what the community and other teams have been showing us throughout this time.”

Sophomore Isabella Duarte followed in eighth in 17:39.1. Behind Duarte was senior Hailey Rutter (12th, 17:44.8), junior Danielle Salcedo (38th, 18:26.3), senior Kaela Beretta (65th, 18:52.0). junior Natasha Prociuk (80th, 19:06.3) and junior Jennifer Thompson (92nd, 19:10.9).

Saugus’ boys also competed Saturday, finishing 23rd in Division 1. They were led by junior Blake Gallardo, who was 49th in 15:40.2.

Just getting back out and competing was a huge hurdle to clear, and it brought challenges that wouldn’t – and shouldn’t – even come to most minds.

“I can’t tell you the things we went through this week,” Paragas said, “and we certainly weren’t 100 percent, from not sleeping and not eating … I had girls on my team that were afraid to stand on the start line to hear a gunshot again.”

But sometimes the best medicine can be a simple race.

“It felt good,” Fredericks said, “to go out and race again as a team and just have fun doing it.”

At the awards ceremony for the Division 1 girls race was loud applause and heartfelt cheers, including words of encouragement from Southern Section commissioner Rob Wigod.

Then as the runner-up, Saugus received its recognition and plaque. A quick hug followed from Great Oak coach Doug Soles, who offered his own support before the packed room.

“You know, it was just letting him know that everybody’s with him,” Soles said. “That’s something I think across the board that nobody ever wants to go through. They’re fortunate that they’ve got a great leader in that program in Rene and the coaches. They’ve got a great coaching staff.

“I know that they’ll have those kids as loved up as possible,” he added. “I think anyone that has kids prays that will never happen to their school.”

Through it all, the Saugus program has stayed together, and the girls will venture Nov. 30 to Woodward Park in Fresno, getting back to the matter of competing for a state championship and a potential berth to Nike Cross Nationals.

“The support staff, the parents, our principal Vince Ferry, our athletic director – I mean, just so many … my wife … my wife kept me together,” Paragas said. “There’s been just a lot of people involved in that.”