The Claremont High cross country team began referring to themselves as CCCP (Claremont Cross Country People) back in the late 80′s before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The name resurfaced around 2000 when Rob Lander, an original member of the Claremont team from the late 80′s who coined the name and helped lead the team to it’s first state meet, returned to Claremont as an assistant coach in 1998.

A few years ago he took the reigns as head coach and after a few rocky seasons found his groove. Last year the boys team finished fourth in state and in 2010 they were hoping to win. After an exceptional finish at the legendary Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitation (first in Division II Boys Sweepstakes) the press that covers high school cross country started to take notice. They dominated CIF prelims and finished third at CIF finals qualifying for state.

Although it was their second appearance at the state meet in two years, the boys were still incredibly nervous; but that didn’t stop them from goofing around the day before the race. When the gun finally went off their focus snapped into place and they were all business. For many on the team it was the last race of their high school career and for a couple it was their first taste. They ran their hearts out, many setting personal bests, and finished third overall. But that’s nothing to frown at and Coach Rob couldn’t have been more pleased to see his team reap the rewards of their labor.