Talk to a runner and you’ll quickly find out their sport is different. "Running is the purest sport you can have," said 4th year cross country coach at Liberty Jose Orozco. "It’s just you and the clock.”
This year, Liberty senior Cagnei Duncan has beaten that clock more than anyone in Bakersfield. "I’ve been having really good times this year and making vast improvements from last year and last year was one of my best seasons," said Duncan.
Cagnei isn’t just winning races, she’s winning by nearly 50 seconds in all of her SWYL meets. “When you finally find out what your purpose is, and I just know I was meant to do running, it’s the most gratifying experience ever.”
She’s good enough to run in college but sasy she just hasn’t found the right fit. "I’ve started to apply but I’m still not sure where I want to go.” While she’s deciding she’s helping to inspire her Liberty teammates. “This girl works harder than anybody else, she’s an example to her team," said Orozco.
While her times have dropped year after year—one thing that hasn’t changed are her shoes calling them "her babies." The same pair for four years, providing a feeling she can’t replace. "I look at them and I see all the accomplishments I’ve made the last four years and it’s sad because going into college you have to start a new chapter." She says once she gets to college she'll finally buy a new pair.
Today in Fresno she wore them for the valley championship where McFarland’s Dede Salcedo was looking to repeat. “It’s awesome that we’re able to push each other and make each other better and represent Kern County," Duncan said Wednesday.
Thursday was Dede’s day, but with a state meet and college to look forward to, Duncan knows it’s all just part of the game. “I love being out here. It’s just what I want to do and I want to do it for a really long time.”
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