Published November 5, 2025
BY CHOICE MUIVAH
Carmel High School’s cross country wraps up this season as they claimed victory Nov. 1 at the Pacific Coast Athletic League Championships, with junior Jasper Bolante finishing in first place with a time of 15:57, and sophomore Jasmine Jin running 20:06.50 and placing fifth, setting up the girls’ and boys’ team to qualify for the Central Coast Section meet Nov. 15 at Crystal Springs and, perhaps, the 2025 California Interscholastic Federation State Cross Country Championship in Fresno on Nov. 29.
“They all kind of know what they’re doing,” says Carmel head coach Matt King. “They have a terrific attitude.”
Sophomore varsity runner Jasmine Jin keeps pace at PCAL Mission Center Meet #1, placing fifth. photo by GRIFFIN STEELY
Stepping up as new head coach this season, King expresses his excitement for what is still to come this season. After 18 years of coaching experience at Carmel Middle School, King has been impressed by the hard work he’s seen the team put in.
The CHS boys’ and girls’ cross country teams have been improving steadily, and despite their current success, they are focused on supporting each other to grow and build a strong foundation.
“The team has been competing well,” top girls’ runner Jasmine Jin adds. “Many of the freshmen have a lot of potential.”
Their dedication and hard work has shown through Jin, Bolante, freshman varsity runner Charles Guzzi and more as they make their way further into CCS.
Bolante has won two PCAL meets as he secured his first victory Sept. 17 at Pinto Lake in Watsonville with a time of 15:30 and claimed his second win at Toro Park on Oct. 1 with a time of 15:38. Bolante ran the same course at the Monterey Bay Invitational on Sept. 27, placing first in 15:36, beating the school’s course record of 15:49 that had stood for over 20 years. After qualifying for CCS as a freshman and sophomore, Bolante will advance to CCS in his junior season and afterwards aims to make it to the CIF State Championships with an ultimate goal of placing first.
Having also made it to CCS as a freshman, Jin has qualified for CCS again this year, and also hopes to advance to the CIF State Championships after being a couple places away from making the cut last year. The sophomore also placed fifth in 2015 at the first PCAL meet at Pinto Lake and fifth at the second Toro Park meet. After her personal record of 19:45 on Sept. 6 at the 6th Annual Jackie Henderson Memorial meet, she is in the top 10 out of all grade levels in PCAL.
Freshman Aiden Mearns takes over the Alisal competition at the first PCAL meet of the season. photo by GRIFFIN STEELY
The team has been keeping in good shape without the usual injuries to hinder their performance, unlike last season which ended with the girls sending only one runner to CCS due to the upperclassmen that were injured. With many of them now graduated, the team has had a freshmen heavy team.
“With a team that is a majority of freshmen…they are also growing and learning a lot,” says King.
As the number two for CHS, Guzzi has placed top ten in two PCAL races, placing seventh at Pinto Lake in 17:13 and in sixth place at Toro Park.
“Guzzi especially brings a lot of energy to the group and helps lead.” says freshman Miles Blum.
King is confident in the boys and their performance in the coming years as most varsity runners are underclassmen, ensuring that they’ll have a strong team for a while.
“It’s been really great to see a lot of freshmen come out and find a passion in running,” says senior runner Lauren Galicia. “It’s a good group, and I hope it will be for the next few years.”
