FRESNO -- Diego Vega began his final high school cross country season with high expectations three months ago. The Orange Glen senior was finally healthy and felt ready for a breakout year.

Despite a strong start, Vega began to lose focus around the middle of the season. His times grew worse and, after a seventh-place finish at the Jaguar Invitational in Escondido, he hit rock bottom. His demeanor spelled dejection.

"The Jaguar Invitational really woke him up," Patriots coach Mike Mena said. "That was the bell that went off in his head."

So Vega, who had placed second in the same race the year before, sat down for a heart-to-heart talk with Mena.

"I asked him point blank if he still had his heart into this," Mena said. "He said he did, and ever since then he has been a different runner."

What followed were some of Vega's best races, including a victory Nov. 15 at the Valley League championships, which are contested on the same course as the Jaguar Invitational against much of the same competition. A week later, he placed third at the CIF San Diego Section Division II championships at Morley Field.

The latter effort earned Vega an invitation to Saturday's CIF state cross country championships at Woodward Park .

Vega will be one of nine individuals and seven teams from the North County competing in the boys race. On the girls side, there are eight individuals and seven teams. Molly Grabill of Rancho Bernardo is one of the favorites for the individual title in Division I, while Torrey Pines is considered a favorite for the girls team title.

Saturday marks Vega's first appearance in the state meet. In his four years of competing, Vega has cut nearly two minutes off his best time.

"Now that I am a senior, I know how to control myself in a race," said Vega, who hopes for a top-20 finish Saturday to end his prep cross country career. "When I was a freshman, I didn't know how to run a race. Over the years, I've learned how to run the race the right way."

Vega also knows the state meet will feature the best competition he has seen.

"It is only going to get harder," Vega said. "I don't really have any expectations or goals in my mind for state. I just have to try to run a good race."