Asked about his star runner Celina Lepe, Monte Vista High cross country coach Manny Sandoval thought a second and then said, “Celina cares about people.” Sandoval, in his 28th year of coaching after running competitively for 12 years, added, “She’s sensitive about others on the team — she’s the leader with a big goal.”

That goal would be to help lift the Monarchs to their first-ever appearance in the state cross country championships under their current format. In order to do that, they’ll need to be among the top four teams in the section Division III championships Saturday at Balboa Park’s Morley Field.