Sophomore Chloe Elbaz and junior Sophie Polay, both California all-state cross country honorees and JSerra High teammates, join DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss making their debut for the Lions on Oct. 7 in the Bill Buettner girls championship race at the 44th ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno. Polay finished fifth in the championship race last year in 17:35.1 for Santa Margarita and earned Division all-state recognition twice for the Eagles. Elbaz was a Division 5 all-state competitor as a freshman for Xavier Prep, running 18:25.0 last year at Woodward Park. Both athletes discuss the patience they learned during the CIF-Southern Section mandatory 30-day sit-out period for all transfers and how beneficial it was to have each other to be able to navigate the experience together. They reflect on the opportunity to connect and build friendships with their new JSerra teammates at the team's altitude training camp in Big Bear and how valuable those days were in developing team chemistry and cohesiveness. Elbaz explains how significant it was to have competed in youth track and cross country with several JSerra athletes and how that foundation helped during the transition to a new program. Polay analyzes competing in the Trinity League against JSerra the past two years and the respect she had for coach Chase Frazier and the Lions racing at those events. They both revisit an Aug. 26 time trial in the 3,200 meters, with Elbaz running 10:49.56 and Polay clocking 10:51.06, contributing to six JSerra athletes achieving sub-11 efforts. They share how much has been learned about the competitive spirit of their teammates, along with JSerra's potential from watching the Lions win the Sundown Showdown race Sept. 2 at the ASICS Cool Breeze Invitational, along with their second-place performance in the Bob Day girls sweepstakes race Sept. 16 at the 42nd Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America. They also speak about how proud they were of JSerra's success Sept. 29 at the Trinity League preview meet, with seven Lions all finishing within one-tenth of a second of each other. They share their inspiration to help JSerra not only win at the ASICS Clovis Invitational, but also repeat as California Division 4 state champions and potentially contend for a podium finish Dec. 2 at Nike Cross Nationals after the Lions finished 21st in their debut in Oregon last season.