Last week the track saw displays of guts and dedication as injuries and accidents threaten to affect Costa Mesa's runners.  Thursday saw Mesa's dual meet against Calvary Chapel and Friday/Saturday saw the esteemed Trabuco Hills Invitational.  
    
Serena Ozonur, a freshman sprinter, has been dealing with a few injuries lately.  Naturally, her coaches tell her to keep off her feet, and stay out of races.  She pleaded her coaches to let her run and they gave her a decision: to run on Thursday or Friday, not both.  But this wasn't good enough for her.  She began to sneak into races despite her coaches and did end up running both days.  Serena has run since Middle School and the sport has grown on her, as it does to most runners.  She showed her true love and dedication for the sport in her actions this past week.
     
Later, Arisa Joi had a challenging moment of her own.  Hurtling can be a very demanding event and can also be the most painful.  On Thursday Arisa slipped up during her hurdles and took a hard fall.  She managed to recover but only for so long, as the momentum she lost caused a second fall.  Even the smallest slip-ups can ruin a race, and it can also take its toll on the runner emotionally.  Arisa had trouble re-cooping after the race and is still a bit scared for her next race.  She's a perfect example of the powerful determination, and will that a runner needs to succeed.  Altogether, the team was tired from having consecutive meets.