Pio Runs for Team, and Far Ahead of the Pack

The Mira Costa High state cross country champion looks forward to running on the college level after placing 65th at the prestigious Nike Cross Nationals. The Mustangs finished in 14th place overall.

By Nick Dietzen

From the recreational jogger to the world-class athlete, every runner knows that success can best be found when being pushed.

Be it a running partner, a coach or even a team, finding the strength to go on when the muscles are sore and the terrain is trying can be the difference between hitting stride and pulling off to the side.

For state champion Savannah Pio and the Mira Costa High Mustangs' girls cross country team, which finished in 14th place Saturday at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore., the fall season has seen the culmination of four years of hard work and countless miles.

All the aches and pains have yielded the sweetest of rewards: team success.

"To me, it's more fun to have a team victory than a personal one. I love to win, but to see the look on my teammates' faces after a win, nothing is better," said Pio, who finished 65th over the 5-kilometer course Saturday in 20:11.8.