Cate’s Charlotte Monke
Coming from Clovis, Charlotte Monke caught the running bug before making it to Cate’s Carpinteria campus.
The CIF State Track & Field Championships are held in Clovis and the CIF State Cross Country Championships take place in next-door Fresno each year.
“It’s really popular,” Monke said. “It’s a big deal so the people that do cross country and track are really involved and invested in it. I got to volunteer at the State track meet (in junior high) so that was cool to watch.”
Now a junior in high school, Monke is Cate’s fastest cross country runner and a team captain.
“She is a great leader because she works so hard every day,” describes Cate head coach Karl Weis. “She’s a no-nonsense runner who’s always looking to get better.”
Monke says she plans to run all four years in cross country and track & field, but enjoys cross country the best.
“Since I do the longer distances in track, I really don’t like going around in circles a bunch of times. It’s kind of cool in cross country that you get to run different courses and it’s different every time.”
Monke, a three-sport athlete who plays soccer in the winter, won the Condor League individual title last season as a sophomore. But Cate has stepped up to the Tri-Valley League this season where the Rams will see some tougher competition.
“I like it a lot better,” Monke explained. “It’s cool because I can still place pretty well but I’m not the best so I still have something to work for.”
Monke started out by placing sixth overall at the season’s first TVL Meet. Her season will continue with two more TVL Meets and a possible CIF appearance in November. Monke is also looking forward to the SB County Championships in Lompoc.
Find past High School Runners of the Month HERE
The High School Runner of the Month award recognizes local prep runners that exemplify the term “Student-Athlete” by demonstrating leadership, passion and excellence in high school athletics. The annual campaign recognizes athletes from March through November.
Thanks to Santa Barbara Running Company for making this award possible and for supporting local athletes.
