This 2015-16 track season was quite memorable with a great record and a CIF finals appearance however this season also marked the final year for Head Coach for the cross country and sprints, Pat Contreras. Contreras has spent the past 5 years as a track coach and 6 years as both an assistant and head coach of Cross Country, getting the team(s) to several playoff and final appearances in CIF. She has been an inspirational figure to athletes that she has coached and for the people that knew her for a long time.

Because of her passion of running, Pat Contreras became a coach in early 2011, helping the athletes achieve greater in not only the starting block but also in academics. Going by the motto of “academics first, athletics second”, she makes sure that her runners and all the athletes have the grades to still be on track.

Senior, Dominick Borbon, making a recent finals run with Pat, commented about what she meant to him saying, “[She’s] like my mother. I’m glad she was able to be here to watch me grow as a runner and as an individual.” Starting his freshman year, Borbon made highlights with outstanding times and incredible speed. Most of that success has been credited to Pat and her guidance to a successful high school career. Another Senior runner and former YellowJacket Quarterback Chris Florez also added his thoughts on the retirement, saying, “Pat was a heck of a coach, that’s for sure. Staying on us about all of our workouts was one thing that will stand out to me about Coach and the proper way.”

After all the memories, Pat will cement herself as one of the best track coaches that Colton High School has ever had. As an inspiration to all track athletes, many wish her well in her future endeavors. The Pepper Bough and its sports staff will truly miss Pat Contreras.