Rakestraw running strong for Sailors

When Newport Harbor’s Kenny Rakestraw won the Division II senior race

with the fastest time of the day at the Laguna Hills invitational

last Saturday, it marked a return to excellence.

Rakestraw was Newport’s No. 1 runner as a sophomore. But he fell

off the pace a bit while going through an 8-inch growth spurt last

year.

“It caused some hip and knee injuries,” Rakestraw said. “I had

some tendinitis. I had to lay off it at times last season.”

But this summer, Rakestraw began to get used to his new 6-foot-4

body.

“I felt good in beginning of the summer and started increasing

mileage and increasing pace,” Rakestraw said. “Then I went to Mammoth

(in mid-August), and that was the peak of my training. I definitely

got in a lot better shape. When I came back, I felt I had a chance to

do well this season.”

And the best part?

“I haven’t felt any pain, either,” he said.

Indeed, Rakestraw was pain-free when he clocked in at 15 minutes,

40 seconds in his first race of the season at Laguna Hills High.

“That was kind of an affirmation of what we knew he could do,”

Newport Harbor boys cross country Coach Nowell Kay said. “It’s

exciting to have him win. There’s not a lot of chances to win an

invitational, because there’s always so much competition. To have the

best time of the day is a great accomplishment.”

While it was the first high school varsity race he’d ever won, it

marked Rakestraw’s second-fastest time ever. He ran a 15:31 as a

sophomore before his growing pains. He took some time to get used to

his new height. Now he’s back on track after the Laguna Hills

victory.

“That was a race of a lifetime for me,” Rakestraw said. “And it’s

a confidence booster for future races. Hopefully I’ll have many more

like it.”

Kay, for one, thinks he will.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he runs 30 seconds faster this

Saturday at the Woodbridge invitational,” Kay said. “The course is

flatter and more conducive to good times. He’s definitely improved

since last year. He’s fit and feels really good. He put in a lot of

miles this summer and had a great camp at Mammoth.”

Rakestraw is slated to run at 8:25 p.m. Saturday at Woodbridge

High.

Taking first place at Laguna Hills gives him the confidence he

needs for the rest of the season.

“Winning at Laguna Hills gave me ideas that maybe I can win league

and the OCC championships,” Rakestraw said. “And maybe even make it

to state.”

Kenny Rakestraw

Born: May 24, 1988

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 160 pounds

Sport: Cross country

Position: No. 1 runner

Coach: Nowell Kay

Favorite food: Burritos

Favorite movie: “40-year-old Virgin”

Favorite athletic moment: “Winning my race last Saturday at the

Laguna Hills invitational. I’ve never won a race before.”

Week in review: Rakestraw had the day’s fastest time (15:40) in

winning the Laguna Hills invitational’s senior Division II race.

After adjusting to an 8-inch growth spurt as a junior, Rakestraw came

out strong and started his senior season on the right foot.

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