History

Rancho Cucamonga High School openned its doors in September of 1992. The first year included 9th,10th, and 11th graders .The buildings, as we know them today, were not finished so the first semester we met at Etiwanda High School in portables. The cross-country team met that first summer at Hermosa Park. Our first team included about 25 athletes 3 of which had cross-country experience
The league at that time was the Mt. Baldy League and there were some very good teams. That first year was won by Etiwanda boys and girls. We had to ride home with Etiwanda on their bus because our team was so small. It would be an experience we would not forget.
The girls team was actually very talented but lacked the depth to compete with some very strong teams. That team included Andrea Bruins (5:10 miler who ran at Cal State Northridge), Angela Casas (sub 20 over 3 miles),her older sister Teresa (sub 21), and Nicole Ryba (sub 20 and 93 league champion she moved her junior year to Reno, Nevada).
The boys team was not as talented. The highlight of the first year was a victory over Montclair (they then dropped their program for a few years).The top male runner that year was Jon Dressel who ran an 18:04 at Mt. Sac. The team time was 1:34.16.Over the next few years the league was dominated by a very good Alta Loma team both boys and girls. The Alta Loma boys even made one appearance in the state meet. The Rancho teams continued contnued to work without alot of success.
In 1997 the girls varsity was still dominated by Alta Loma but the boys was turning into a very competitive battle. Ontario was defending champions,with almost everyone coming back,Alta Loma and Etiwanda were also going to challenge. The Rancho boys were favored for 4th. Greg Cadogan who had played football his first 2 years decided to run cross-country. With the addition of Greg (competed for Cal State San Marcos for 2 years) this made Rancho a contender. The boys went through the dual meet season undefeated and set up a showdown at league finals.With 100 meters to go Rancho trailed Etiwanda by 1 point but Rancho number 3 runner Bryan Stever passed 2 runners in a sprint to the finish and the boys had their first of 6 undefeated league champions. Greg was also the first and only individual league champion. He led the team with a time of 16:30. He was followed by Marco Cantelletta 17:30, Bryan Stever 17:52, John Morrison 17:59 ( ran at U.C. San Diego), and Doug Holt (2003 graduate of West Point and still competing).That season was the first an athlete qualified for C.I.F. Finals. The Rancho booys team lined up on the rain course at Mt Sac. Greg had an outside chance to make finals but he had to finish in the top 10. The gun sounded and the runners took off. After about 50 meters Greg turned and ran back toward the starting line. Someone had inadvertantly stepped on his foot and his shoe came off. John Morrison would later say that the shoe flew in the air and had almost hit him in the head (he didn't know it was Gregs). The runners run through the campus and were out of sight until the last 400 meters when they enter the stadium. Greg had amazingly caught up enough to finish 9th and become the first runner from Rancho to make it to C.I.F. finals.
That was the beginning of what would be 8 League Championships. With the addition of some outstanding runners it would turn Rancho Cucamonga High School into one of the outstanding cross-country teams in the Inland Empire. Over that 8 years the team compiled an overall record of 98-2 in league,6 out of 8 years in C.I.F. finals,those 6 years ranked in top 25 in state, and 2003 ranked 5 th in state and 2004 8th. Over that period of time the Cougars were blessed with some outstanding runners, Danny Woodbury 15:22 at 2000 CIF Finals and 2nd team all CIF, Justin Conrow 15:49 at CIF 2000, Nick Cadogan 16:14 and Gian Rodriguez 16:04 2001 CIF, and Luis Pescador 15:47 2002 also on the MSAC course. The 2003 team dedicated their season to being the best team ever at Rancho and they accomplished almost every goal they set for themselves, team time of 1:18.24 (broke old school record by 2 min. 30 sec.), Stephen Trupiano 15:06, Andrew Trinidad 15:08, Hector Mendez 15:34, Jon Schlotthauer 15:50, (4 of top 6 times of all time).Stephen and Andrew were also honored with 1st team all CIF and 1st team all state. Hector was honored 2nd team all CIF and 2nd team all state. Andrew was also first Rancho runner to break 15, 14:58 at Inland Empire Championships.
2003 marks the first time the girls have ever made it to CIF Finals. Natalie Picchetti made it to State in 2003 and became the first female to reach state. Along the way the girls have had some outstanding runners Brenda Martinez '05'(UC Riverside)18:30 at MSAC,Audrey Allas '06' (Chico State)19:05,and Lindsey Barajas (San Diego St.) 19:40.