Life PacifIc Cross Country 2017 Season Preview
San Dimas, Calif. - Life Pacific Cross Country is set to open their season on 9/9/17 at the Biola Invitational in La Mirada, California. The 2017 season will be Life Pacific College's first season competing as a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference. With that in mind, Head Coach Rich Salgado has gone to great lengths to prepare his runners for the challenges that they are soon to face. Along with preparing physically for the upcoming season, LPC has been strengthening themselves both mentally and spiritually. This past weekend provided a great opportunity for the Cross Country team to continue their growth by providing a great act of service to those that were in need.
Coach Rich on the Service Project
"The service project was very random and the opportunity to serve literally fell on our lap 15 minutes prior to us heading out to the beach for training and a team bonding fun day in the sun. Through a phone call with a family member, I was informed that there was a church (Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda) under construction that needed to have the site cleaned by the next day's Sunday service. The crew of men that were supposed to come work the 8-hour project didn't show up. So, the only people that were left to do the work were the Senior Pastor Josh Holiday, his mother, the Building Project Supervisor Miguel Martinez and a couple of leaders. They were in desperate need of help. I got off of the phone and gathered our cross country team together and presented them with the opportunity to serve.... therefore, skipping the beach day. Our young people responded very quickly, and within minutes we were caravanning to help the church.
Upon arrival, we were met with tears of gratitude and joy as the Pastor's mom said, " God sent us angels". "Where are you guys from?" people asked. We told them, "LIFE PACIFIC COLLEGE! We are the cross country/Track & Field team." We could instantly feel the gratefulness from each staff member as they were overwhelmed that God sent them a whole team of workers to get the job done. One of the senior leaders said they had just got out of praying that God would help them see this project through. She laughed and said, "Then literally within minutes you all drove up."
I was a very proud coach working alongside our student-athletes as we sweated together picking up wood, bricks, metal and other construction debris. I was also grateful to be able to serve with my wife and 3 children. It was a huge blessing to see my wife; on her birthday, choose to help serve with our team and really bond with our young women; it meant a lot. In addition to an already great day, the church provided a BBQ for us afterward which bonded our team even more. It turned out to be a pretty amazing day and in the words of Savannah Goodell (FR/San Lorenzo, CA), "Today, this was better than going to the beach." I would have to agree with Savannah on that."
Athletes on the Service Project
"It was nice helping out people that needed extra hands and knowing the impact we had on the church was a good feeling. It brought joy". - Blake Terry (SR/Modesto, CA)
"It made me feel like a blessing to the church. I learned that God can use you in many ways at any moment of any day. His plan may be completely different than your own, but will show His love and serve His will". - Luke Albert (FR/Camas, WA)
"Serving the community of Calvary Chapel Yorba Linda as a team was such a blessing. As we participated in various tasks from sweeping to moving out pieces of dry-wall we began to develop stronger connections with one another. Seeing each other work hard to meet the needs of the church community was both inspiring and motivating". - Elizabeth Yerkes (JR/San Diego, CA)
Coach Rich on the 2017 season
"I am extremely excited for this upcoming season as we enter the GSAC and work towards building our cross country and track teams here at Life Pacific. I am very grateful to our Athletic Director, Tim Cook and to the leadership that believed in us while helping to make the jump into the GSAC. On another note, our team has been working hard and our freshmen newcomers are mixing well with our older returners from a chemistry standpoint. I am most pleased with the character of our student-athletes and love how they approach each other, the sport, and others in the community. I am looking forward to coaching them and being a part of their progress and development as we head into the 2017-2018 season." - Coach Rich Salgado
Athletes on the 2017 season
"This upcoming season I'm looking forward to racing at the collegiate level, improving my times, and getting adjusted to the poisonous air as opposed to fresh Washington air. But I'm more excited about spending time together as a team and creating those brotherly bonds that happen on a cross country team." - Luke Albert
"I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation as we head into our 2017 cross country season. Last year, I was privileged to be a part of bringing this sport to LPC. Seeing our team grow this year is evidence of the growth this program has already taken. I believe the Lord is going to use this team to strengthen our running abilities as well as create friendships that revolve around Christ's love." - Elizabeth Yerkes
The 2017 Cross Country schedule is available at http://www.lpcwarriors.org/schedule/0/3.php