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Southern Section Prelims
- Sat 11/16/02 - Rich Gonzalez - Heat Previews
Division V Boys -- Heat 1 of 2
Race #1 - 7:56 a.m.
Defending section champion Woodcrest Christian has been tearing through
small-schools competition this fall, including sensational efforts at
the gargantuan Clovis and Mt. SAC affairs that have pegged the crew as
the top seed heading into postseason. Tough news struck the group early
this week, with appendicitis sidelining key contributor Dustin Andrews,
putting frontrunner Grant Nunnally and Co. shorthanded but surely not
defeated here today! Chadwick might be the most improved squad in the
division in recent weeks, with sophomore Peter Bartlett among those powering
the team’s runner-up placing at the talent-loaded Prep League Finals,
while Frontier League champion Santa Clara (with Manuel Urban and Jonathan
Reed among those up front) also looks well positioned for an eventual
state-meet run. Two other squads also figuring prominently in this heat
are Academy League winners St. Margaret’s and Condor League top
entry Thacher. St. Margaret’s has a solid 1-2 punch in senior Chris
Gaudreau and junior Andy Forquer, with the pair keying the crew’s
mid-88:00 run here last month. Thacher’s Peter Gierke is the latest
in a fine line of individual talent at the school in recent years.
Division I Girls - Heat 1 of 4
Race #2 - 8:12 a.m.
In analytical World Cup soccer lore, the “group of death”
is known as simply the toughest qualifying draw possible. Here is high
school cross country’s answer: Three of the top nine teams in the
Golden State rankings are seeded here (two each in the other three heats),
leaving a trio of talented teams to likely battle for the remaining (fourth)
heat berth to finals! Murrieta Valley tops the entry list, with 2000 national
Foot Locker finalist Liza Pasciuto rocketing back to form in 2002 (17:38
here already) in leading a Nighthawks crew handling all in-state challenges
thus far. Frosh star Karen Camburn and senior two-lap specialist Bonghabih
Shey are key players in an attack ranked among the top dozen teams nationally
already this season. Long Beach Wilson is flashing signs of carrying its
national supremacy over from the track oval this fall, with the Bruins
opening some eyes en route to an early-season gangbuster effort at the
Dana Hills Invitational. Sophomore sensation Bina Gold and veteran Glennis
Scott lead the state’s #8-ranked crew. Peninsula, which stunned
all onlookers with an incredible state-meet title climax a year ago, has
much of the cast back, with Olga Aulet-Leon and Tina Downey among the
more familiar names for a collection of runners from a program that has
mastered this course better than any other over the years. El Toro, Marina
and always-formidable Yucaipa are those best suited to handle the task
at hand for the final berth, with El Toro maybe holding a slight edge
with half-mile specialist Whitney Hampton’s recent return from injury.
Division V Boys -- Heat 2 of 2
Race #3 - 8:23 a.m.
Flintridge Prep is kicking into high gear at just the right time! With
a slight tweaking of its training approach, the Rebels have been a bit
heavy-legged in recent weeks, but the mega-deep group had Tom McLean,
Seth Horowitz and Tom Adams lead a very impressive 85:10 clocking while
donning trainers here a few weeks back, signaling a major peak is on the
horizon! Desert Christian of Lancaster has been choosing its battles carefully
this fall, oftentimes running key contributors at the lower levels and
leaving opponents guessing. There should be little doubt in the coming
weeks, with Tim Smith and Sky Johnston being counted to steer the Knights
to success! Brentwood and Oakwood are two other teams appearing ready
for the postseason, with the former following the lead of sophomore standout
Ryan Gordon and the latter boasting Mike Zarem and Boomer Ehrich among
its up-front harriers. Webb, an at-large entry with brothers Greg and
Matt Burris, and Upland Christian, with Steve Smith leading the charge,
are other fine programs mixing it up here.
Division I Girls - Heat 2 of 4
Race #4 - 8:39 a.m.
Ventura County/Marmonte League rivals Thousand Oaks and Royal are pitted
here (sorry, but seeding integrity is emphasized over same-league matchups
in order to promote fair draws), meaning the up-front battles could be
interesting! Thousand Oaks put forth a “performance for the ages”
at the early-season Mt. Carmel Invitational, opting to cruise through
the rest of the racing calendar since. Whitney McDonald and Monica Su
are key performers for the Lancers, who have also welcomed back a gradually
improving Kathleen Vance (a sensational performer a year ago) to make
them all the more powerful. Royal’s recent late-season surge in
should put all teams on notice that the Highlanders are ready to take
off the gloves for the mega-races! Sarah Montez and sisters Devin and
Morgan Noe are among the components for a team holding possibly the best
upside of any in the division. Ayala, which has been stung by injuries
and a cumbersome schedule this fall, aims to reestablish its rhythm in
the coming weeks, with Whitney Patton and Chelsea Traylor offering the
team the experience and leadership needed for the task before them. Glendora
and Etiwanda seem to be the squads best armed to tangle for the remaining
berth to finals, with the former relying on Stephanie Chavez and the latter
looking to Bess Walker in hinging its chances.
Division IV Boys -- Heat 1 of 2
Race #5 - 8:50 a.m.
Top-seeded Fillmore has really raised the bar in divisional competition
over the last month, with super showings at the Mt. SAC Invitational,
Ventura County Championships and Tri-Valley League clashes with rival
Oak Park (the #2 ranked team) in recent weeks! Senior Juan Mejia leads
a talent-stocked and experienced crew for the aptly named Flash, whose
November-time pedigree is among the best in section history at the small-schools
level. Orange Lutheran has to endure an unforgiving league schedule against
large-schools competition this fall, but the Jorge Jabaz-led contingent
earned its way into postseason as an at-large entry after looming near
the top end of the rankings all season long. Laguna Beach is hitting its
stride in fine fashion these days, especially after losing a very close
battle with Division III-ranked foe Corona del Mar in recent league finals
competition. The Artists have seniors Brendan Bowler and Nathan Greene
leading their drive, while Cathedral is keyed by a well-hidden group which
battled Division II state power Bosco Tech at its league final. Carpinteria,
which motored to a fine county championships effort that indicates it
is on an upswing for CIF competition, has John Norris and Joaquin Gomez
at the crux of its attack. Morro Bay’s Jordan Gaffney has been instrumental
in keeping the Pirates on the right track after massive graduation losses
a year ago, with the unit placing third in the very competitive Los Padres
League stockpile. Big Bear, with fine senior Craig Hall (multiple efforts
well under 16:00 here) is among those teams harboring serious bids into
the final.
Division I Girls - Heat 3 of 4
Race #6 - 9:06 a.m.
Canyon of Canyon Country looked flat-out awesome at the season-opening
Seaside Invitational as several sensational freshmen arrived on the Southland
scene. Since then, the Cowgirls have been scooping up experience by the
truckload in prepping for postseason. Alysia Johnson and Brenda Stevens
help form the heart of this squad, which should handle the coming pressures
in fine fashion. Fountain Valley chose to tackle some major national-class
programs this fall and enjoyed good results, including downing a countrywide
power from New York in midseason. Since then, then Barons have honed their
craft in the always-tough Sunset League, with accomplished veteran Bethany
Nickless and red-hot ninth-grader Crystal Reed simply proving to be too
much up-front power for most teams to counter! Long Beach Poly, Upland,
Mission Viejo and Redlands provide this heat frightening depth. Poly (with
sophomore Gabrielle Bournes) has been the best of the bunch thus far,
including a fine 98:25 effort on this course three weeks back.
Division IV Boys -- Heat 2 of 2
Race #7 - 9:17 a.m.
Oak Park might be the worst-kept secret in the Southland, with its coaches
diligently aiming to keep the team’s potential under wraps until
peakinbg time. Even so, Igor Tregub and Kenny Brook lead a proud and talented
cast has lost some tough battles to rival Fillmore over the last month,
raising suspicion as to just what lies in store. Maranatha is another
squad whose 2002 numbers hardly tell the whole story. Although the Minutemen
have fared well, they’ve oftentimes “trained through”
at key meets, leaving standouts such as Andy Smith and Keiichi Matsumoto
no doubt eager to flaunt their racing skills in the coming meets! Beaumont
has been among the nicest surprises this season, emerging well from high
expectations to meet the challenge in handily knocking off a pair or small
schools powers from recent weeks. Senior Brian Baker has been the big
gun in a fine cache of weapons, with a 15:43 effort here making him a
solid candidate for individual title honors! Harvard/Westlake is the heat’s
#4 seed, with David Wu among those having the Wolverines chasing rising
national power Loyola in Mission League clashes. St. Bonaventure and Salesian
are expected to garner the last two automatic berths to finals from here,
with the former earning at-large entry from the rugged Tri-Valley League
and the latter adding another chapter to its solid tradition with its
recent Santa Fe League Finals triumph.
Division I Girls - Heat 4 of 4
Race #8 - 9:33 a.m.
It’s almost a crime that traditional superpowers like Esperanza
and Dana Hills have to square off in a prelim heat (an Orange County Championships
rematch?), but where else can you put them? It’s loaded everywhere!!
Esperanza frontrunner Alison Costello has “elevated her game”
in recent months to emerge as among the state’s finest, with sibling
Kristen Costello and sophomore Joy Wilk ready to provide quality backup.
Dana Hills, the preseason favorite to win it all before a coaching change
and injuries put the issue in doubt, has rebounded very nicely! Monika
Rothenberger and Shawn Yourd are the catalysts up front, but the Dolphins
really earn their due at the back of the scoring pack, where their remaining
scorers could emerge better than anyone’s! Keep an eye here on two
great programs! Redlands East Valley (with Aracely Hernandez) and Corona
(Alma Escobar pacing a 99:18 Mt. SAC Invitational heat-winning squad)
get the nod as favorites for the remaining two spots to finals, although
Warren and Highland are other entrants within striking distance! This
is another one that’s going to cook!
Division I Boys -- Heat 1 of 4
Race #9 - 9:44 a.m.
Large-schools action kicks off in grand style today, with perennial
powerhouse Long Beach Poly seeking to add to its “Mt. SAC Mystique”
in seeking a mind-boggling sixth Southern Section title in the last seven
years! The Jackrabbits appear poised to handle the task in 2002, with
team leaders Kevin Brulois and Ulices Pina (15:21 and 15:25 here, respectively,
last month) among a very deep cast recently capturing the Team Sweepstakes
crown at the Mt. SAC Invitational. Don Lugo has been the surprise story
of the division this fall, with defending state individual champion Erick
Maldonado sidelined for much of the campaign, yet watching his teammates
tackling all challengers in impressive fashion. With Maldonado rumored
to be back in the lineup this week, Alex Benavides and Nathan Wolack are
among those giving this rising group sensational up-front presence! Temecula
Valley lost one expected key returnee to transfer this fall (he became
the new Illinois state champion last week, in fact), but has super-talented
sophomore Brett Campfield and the senior trio of John Mendoza, Brian Calavan
and Steven Brankov well positioned in earning its team a ticket to the
final! Glendora and Ayala figure to crank up a great rematch of their
thrilling Sierra League showdown of 10 days ago, with the last remaining
berth to finals likely at stake! Glendora won the latest clash between
these two by just five points, with Sean DiFilipo and Wes Roemer leading
a tightly packed bunch. The Bulldogs counter with Tony Verduzco and Steven
Porter aiming to carrying on a fine tradition for the Inland Valley-based
program. Individually, Etiwanda senior Michael Poe gunned a very impressive
14:57 clocking at the Baseline League Finals last week to be tabbed as
today’s heat favorite, with good friend Maldonado of Don Lugo (14:53
here last year) easing back into action and among those leading a talented
pack!
Division V Girls - Heat 1 of 2
Race #10 - 10:00 a.m.
The road to the CIF-SS title goes through Chadwick School - yet again!
All indications are that the Dolphins will once again be the team to beat,
with Alison Brown, Natalie Colich and Erica Larsen being the latest lead
names in an all-star cast that thwarted rival Flintridge Prep’s
upset bid two weeks back. Chadwick always saves its very best for last,
so keep an eye on this crew’s great sense of teamwork and execution
in the coming weeks! Cate School knows a bit about bonding and teamwork
as well these days, with the boarding school enjoying fine progress in
recent years to now garner statewide attention! Sorel Carradine and Chelsea
Tuck top the lineup, which even is also listed prominently in the California
small-schools poll. Woodcrest Christian showcases one of the Southland’s
premier small-schools talents in junior Holly Digerolamo, with Ashleigh
Pratt and Ashley Tucker among those helping give them a fine sense of
depth at this level and rounding out a sensational boys/girls program
from the Inland Empire. Brentwood’s virtually all-underclass roster
has grown up in a hurry, with Tani Brown and Holly Weil guiding the Eagles
on a path that could lead to the state finals in Fresno! Vivian Webb School
gained entry into postseason as an at-large, that after Kelsey Dickson
and crew flashed improvement at the Prep League Finals clash two weeks
ago, nabbing a sectional ranking in the process! Bell-Jeff appears to
have a slight edge over Windward in the quest for the final automatic
berth to finals! Keep an eye on Thacher’s Bessie Hatch, one of the
finer talents at his level statewide.
Division I Boys - Heat 2 of 4
Race #11 - 10:21 a.m.
The most dangerous squad during the championship phase of the season
figures to be heat-favorite Dana Hills, which boasts a lineup as deep
as any in the Golden State and an eased approach that has lent itself
to some great non-pressured clutch efforts down the stretch in recent
years. Seniors Tyler Kastorff (South Coast League individual titlist)
and Brandon Babiracki headline the “blue-and-white-striped attack”,
which can stuff the finish chute with seven sub-16:00 finishers when all
cylinders are clicking! Crescenta Valley is a new player on the statewide
scene this fall, with senior team leader Chris Snyder and league champ
Ben Kessen guiding the Falcons to what might be their first state ranking
in school history! Fountain Valley emerged as the league champion from
the always tough Sunset League wars, with junior gem Josh Selley and senior
Mark Darrah among a cast that came on quite well in the stretch drive
a year ago. The battle for the remaining finals berth figures to take
place between Esperanza and Camarillo, with Del Rio League titlist El
Rancho not out of the picture either. Esperanza rallies behind pacesetter
Mike Chavez and recently improved Stephen Murvin, while Camarillo has
Michael Lucero, Pete Smith and Shea Jaenicke holding the key to its chances.
El Rancho’s recent successes have been fueled by the solid efforts
of seniors Miguel Paniagua and Albert Mena. Individually, the trio of
Snyder, Kastorff and Babiracki should set the pace here.
Division V Girls - Heat 2 of 2
Race #12 - 10:32 a.m.
Flintridge Prep came oh-so-close to halting Chadwick’s reign of
dominance two weeks back, with the Rebels no doubt fired up at the prospects
of gaining another crack at their league foes in postseason. Flintridge
Prep traditionally executes with pack running, featuring a megadeep roster
that includes frosh standout Ciara Gonzalez joining Sarah Peterson, Lizzy
Bovard and Hannah Vaughan among the pacesetters. Desert Christian of Lancaster
has been a tough squad to track this season, with seemingly limited occasions
(Seaside and Bell-Jeff Invitationals) on which they’ve chosen to
show their cards. Clatonia Tarazi and Amy Spoelstra are among a fine cast
further bolstered by the arrival of some outstanding ninth-graders. Pasadena
Poly is finally putting the pieces together, but at just the right time.
Elizabeth Dooley and Reena Magsarili have shouldered the leadership load
while the team has endured injuries, but the recent return of Mallory
Wilder gives the Panthers more than enough firepower to now forge its
way into the state-qualifying picture. Ontario Christian has been out
of the limelight for much of the season, but senior Tessa Tarole figures
to have her corps fired up, especially after an impressive scoring sweep
at the Christian League Finals! Desert Christian of Bermuda Dunes has
limited numbers (only six are running in position), but there is no shortage
in quality. The Conquerors scored 21 points to overpower its opposition
at the Victory League Finals. St. Margaret’s figures to be the team
to beat for the remaining automatic berth to finals, with Oakwood’s
Treani Swain (pretty much an age-group legend at 400/800 meters in track)
expected to be in the front pack here.
Division I Boys - Heat 3 of 4
Race #13 - 10:53 a.m.
Torrence, Tyhurst, Foresta and Matusak. … Sounds like a law firm,
doesn’t it? So far, this sensational quartet (David, Micah, Ryan
and Mark, in order named above) has built an ultra strong case in making
the Los Angeles-based Loyola High program perhaps the fastest private-school
squad in Southern Section history! A scintillating 77:52 clocking (with
Matt Miller also in the scoring mix) at the recent Mt. SAC Invitational
qualifies the Cubs as the solid heat favorite here, with the Mission League
titlists also focused on a first-ever trip to Fresno, site of the state
championships! Royal might be the scariest non-favorite in any divisional
race assembled today, with the Marmonte League champions picking up major
steam in recent weeks to move into the state podium picture. Senior Tim
Hearst and sophomore Dylan Jaedtke lead an otherwise closely bunched arsenal,
which includes frosh phenom Jason Pederson (16:05 here) among those chipping
in. Indio continues making its ascent through the ranks of the large-schools
elite, with the desert-based program having Joel Cota and Jose Mancillas
as the biggest weapons for the Desert Valley League champions. This group
was just off the cusp of the rankings in the final sectional poll heading
into postseason, but will aim to knock off “the big boys”
over the coming weeks! Corona, which came up on the short end of a thrilling
Mountain View League clash with La Sierra a week ago, has mega-tough Josh
Schneider and Cyrus Bastani in good position to snag the remaining berth
to finals, although Mission Viejo and Canyon Springs are a pair of traditionally
strong programs also on the radar here. Loyola’s Matusak (15:08)
and Royal’s Hearst (15:13) are two fearless harriers expected to
set the pace here, with the aforementioned Torrence, Cota, Schneider and
Tyhurst also expected in the lead pack.
Division IV Girls - Heat 1 of 2
Race #14 - 11:04 a.m.
The best odds-on favorite to win a CIF-SS title in any girls division
this fall is the Oak Park group that has comparatively blasted through
Division IV rivals time and again in recent months. Although often resting
key runners, the group flaunts impressive depth, with junior gem Lauren
Morales leading a fine group whose success is further cemented by consistently
solid efforts from Tatiana Camacho and Blossom Mirampietri. Orange Lutheran
and Maranatha, formerly leagues foes before realignment took place this
year, should wage a fine battle for second in this heat. Orange Lutheran
is downright loaded, with Kari Andrew and Kelly Rendon ready for postseason
duty. Maranatha answers back with super senior Laura Meyers (a two-time
sectional champion), Lizzie Thompson and a few quickly improving secret
weapons. San Marino has quietly handled itself well this fall, with a
sprinkling of fine efforts from Betsy Yen and Carrie Gottschalk directing
the Titans into the sectional rankings. Los Osos, a new school from the
Inland Valley region, has wasted little time building a winner! Nicole
Nishanian and Amanda Strong are the frontrunners for a crew certainly
on the rise! Big Bear, another crew familiar with quick success (the Bears
started their program with a single runner just a few years ago), has
senior Jessica Horn heading the DeAnza League titlists here. Oxford Academy,
courting an educational reputation as rich as any in the Southland, takes
care of business on athletics as well and should contend for the remaining
coveted berths to finals.
Division I Boys - Heat 4 of 4
Race #15 - 11:22 a.m.
Who says Rome wasn’t built in a day? After watching the heart of
its national powerhouse program graduate last spring, Canyon High of Canyon
Country has “come to grips” with the situation in astonishingly
bold fashion with one superb outing after another this fall. Seniors Ryan
Morgan and Troy Werner might be the best front-running tandem in the state,
with the former (recently sick, but quickly on the mend) and the latter
(winner of the Mt. SAC Team Sweepstakes race in 14:59) giving the Cowboys
solid footing in their quest for a state-meet berth! Murrieta Valley came
flying out of the gates in mid-September, punctuated by a burning effort
at the Bronco Invitational. Since then, the jets have hardly cooled as
Kellen Acosta, Anthony Mercado and Ian Ritchie have kept the Nighthawks
firmly entrenched among the Southland hierarchy all season long. El Toro,
which flashed nice poise in strong showings at both the Clovis and Mt.
SAC invitationals, kept South Coast League foe Dana Hills on its toes
throughout as senior thoroughbred Matt Cipolla and sophomore star Brandon
Bethke have sparked many of the team’s successes thus far. West
Covina, the San Gabriel Valley’s most improved program this fall,
is tabbed as the slight favorite for the last berth to finals here, with
senior Efren Tirado leading a very enthusiastic group seeking to pull
upsets in the coming weeks! Baseline League champion Rancho Cucamonga
(with Andrew Trinidad and Luis Pescador leading) and pack-attack powered
Santa Ana are two very dangerous squads lurking in the shadows here! Individually,
the Canyon collection of Werner and Morgan should give the opposition
fits, with Murrieta Valley’s lead trio figuring to be among a potent
chase pack!
Division IV Girls -- Heat 2 of 2
Race #16 - 11:33 a.m.
The talent keeps developing in droves at Harvard/Westlake, with “frosh
find” Bridget Ballard the latest addition to the San Fernando Valley
powerhouse that already showcases super talents in junior Lindsay Flacks
and senior Katie DeWitt on the roster. The Wolverines are certainly a
super-tough crew in the big meets, but La Reina should prove to be a very
capable rival here, with fine distance runner Katie Gose and senior teammate
Olivia Ghaussy headlining a cast flashing great peak credentials heading
into the championship phase. Marlene Elisalde took top individual honors
as the Del Rey League championships, where the Swordsmen captured the
crown en route to a postseason ranking here. Chino Hills is a fine at-large
entry from the Sierra League, with an all-underclass cast obviously boding
well for this second-year school. Carpinteria and Flintridge Sacred Heart
Academy appear to hold a slight edge over a deep field for the remaining
berths. Carpinteria earned its postseason bid via the at-large process
while traditional postseason threat FSHA was the runner-up entry from
the Mission League.
Division II Boys - Heat 1 of 4
Race # 17 - 1:15 p.m.
Orange High has really cranked it up this season, obviously wishing to
follow up on a spectacular breakthrough campaign in 2001. Although besieged
by illness at last month’s Orange County Championships, the Panthers
have bounced back and are ready to showcase alarming depth! Raul Lara
and Francisco Guerra set the table for a team feast of depth! On the topic
of depth, King High of Riverside employs a similar recipe for success,
with Daniel Beld and Garrett Allen helping key a group still smirking
after a narrow-miss to the finals a year ago. Based on its makeup and
several other factors, this group’s upside is as good as any. Bosco
Tech (Rosemead) fared well at the mid-season Stanford Invitational then
disposed of Del Rey League foes last week, with Matt Burrola and Rey Barrera
leading the way. Moorpark gets the nod over a vastly improved Arroyo squad
for the final automatic berth to finals, with the former following the
lead of senior ace Jack Chandler. Arroyo, aiming to return to its glory
days of the 1980s, has super sophomore Luis Medina helping provide solid
pacesetting for a finely grouped attack. The big adjoining story here
the next few weeks should be the performance of budding national superstar
Michael Haddan, who has been tearing up course with abandon in 2002. Haddan,
a sensational two-lap talent in track, looked to be in cruise mode while
galloping to a 14:53 clocking in a non-seeded heat of the Mt. SAC Invitational,
with a crack at Ryan Hall’s 14:28 course record in the coming days
surely not out of the question. Sub-14:40? A given. Sub-14:40? Remarkable.
Sub-14:30? Chills down your spine. Sub 14:28? Peerless.
Division III Girls -- Heat 1 of 2
Race #18 - 1:26 p.m.
Santa Margarita has been one of the very few top seeds today that has
had its #1 ranking go virtually unchallenged this season, with the Eagles
harboring so much strength that even the vaunted Serra League schedule
proved to be no match. Juniors Kristen Howell and Taylor Carroll and veteran
Emily Kalmbach are the nucleus for this group, the Southern Section’s
best representation in a loaded Division III talent pool statewide. St.
Joseph’s of Lakewood, the third-place entry from the Serra League,
has shown well capable of being to run in the 101:00 range when needed,
with Tracy Dantema and the Dawkins Sisters pointing to these meets all
season long. Diamond Ranch knows this course well, evidenced by the Danielle
Evans-paced squad hoisting the Mt. Baldy League trophy here just a few
weeks back. Nordhoff, now under the tutelage of former Rangers star an
one-time prep national star Will Bernaldo, put things together quite nicely
in its Frontier League-clinching run last week, with Lindsay Hewitt among
those looking to upset the form charts in maybe capturing a berth to state
a few weeks down the road. St. Lucy’s Priory, a team which found
the going tough is Sierra League action against Division I juggernaut
Ayala, is better suited for the Division III wars about to unfold, with
Jessica DiMascio helping rally the troops. Lompoc and Bonita are among
the many fine programs set to duel for the remaining qualifying berths
here.
Division II Boys - Heat 2 of 4
Race #19 - 1:42 p.m.
Almighty Rubidoux gets the top seed in this heat, with the always dangerous
Falcons loaded up for postseason yet again! Seniors Antonio Jimenez and
Victor Ortiz help form the foundation for this year’s powerhouse
crew! Sultana, Valencia, and Mater Dei can very easily interchange for
the next spot, depending upon which respective squads show up. Valencia
has national-class standout Juan Robles leading a group battling inconsistencies,
with Sultana showing itself quite well at the recent Mt. SAC Invitational
to also be in the picture. Mater Dei, with the Swift Brothers helping
head its talent pool, also looks strong, seemingly well equipped to hold
off Tustin and others for the final automatic berth.
Division III Girls -- Heat 2 of 2
Race #20 - 1:53 p.m.
La Canada enters as the top seed here, accompanied by a well-decorated
list of postseason accomplishments stretching nearly a decade back. The
talent well runs aplenty in the foothills once again, with Tara Sharma
and Stephanie Lee among a seasoned crew lacing up the racers for this
year’s edition of the Spartans. Rim of the World sparkled in a non-seeded
heat of the Mt. SAC Invitational last month, with Kim Miller and Nicole
McCaskell part of a 99;14 effort that polished off the competition. Corona
del Mar’s best effort of the season came during out-of-section competition,
leaving the Becky Cummins-led Sea Queens a dangerous unknown commodity
to some. Rest assured, the group is primed to once again shine in the
end. San Gabriel Valley power South Hills notched yet another league title
(this time in the newly formed San Antonio League) as seniors Kristy Gamboa
and Dominique Rosete appear set to spark the Huskies to more achievements
in the coming weeks. San Luis Obispo and Cabrillo of Lompoc are two other
squads with high-octane legs on board, where only the top six teams advance
automatically. Christina Jimenez of Granite Hills, who has enjoyed considerable
success on these hills in recent years, could end up as the pacesetter.
Division II Boys - Heat 3 of 4
Race #21 - 2:09 p.m.
Cypress has been among the many feel-good stories of the fall season,
with senior harrier David Napper and the Washburn siblings (Brian and
Neal) steadily carrying the squad up through the ranks and holding a legitimate
shot at snaring the section title! La Sierra, which withstood a slight
stumble by one of its key runners at the Mt. SAC Invitational, appears
to be a very battle-tested crew with senior Matt Kern leading its drive.
Sonora, which covered its graduation losses of a year ago quite well,
has only one senior in a bunch on its way up these days! Brea Olinda is
among the best Southland teams to never appear in the rankings this Fall,
with its crew being on the fringe in recent weeks. Seniors Eric Gustafson
and Billy Jones are on board for the group, which has been steady all
season long. Buena and Foothill are picked as the combatants for the final
automatic spot to finals.
Division II Girls - Heat 1 of 4
Race #22 - 2:20 p.m.
Clear the decks… the Sultana crew is in town and rewriting the record
books! Having already taken down the standard (now 91:21, for an 18:16
average) on the renovated (1999-present) Mt. SAC layout, the nation’s
#3-ranked program is looking to put the record out of sight these days!
Kelsey Delagardelle, Danielle Varela, Shadee Duarte, Stacy Tabuena, Kelsey
Camara, Juanita Hernandez and Rachel Black have elicited talk of being
among the nation’s great all-time collections, with some thinking
winning sectional and state titles are all but formalities. El Modena
( has quietly put itself into the rankings picture in recent weeks, all
spawned after a quiet but impressive effort at the Orange County Championships
several weeks back. The crew really cranked things up at the Century League
Finals, earning the #2 seed in this heat. Sunny Hills, with sisters Claire
and Stacy Kim, has great lead scoring, with its depth being the key to
postseason success in the weeks to come. Mira Costa appears to be the
fourth squad best prepared to land an automatic berth from here.
Division II Boys - Heat 4 of 4
Race #23 - 2:36 p.m.
Having a squad as fine as Katella as the #4 seed in the division lends
insight as to just how potent the top teams are here. The Knights employ
a great three-pronged attack at the front, with Juan Escalante, Francisco
Flores and Victor Fierro filling that role. Depth is never a concern here,
making the group a virtual lock for a state-meet berth. St. John Bosco
has been on a tear of late, with Anthony Martinez and Co. hitting the
throttle in holding off rival Santa Margarita in Serra League action once
more in recent days! The Braves have lost a super freshman to injury for
the season, but appear to be picking up steam anyways! Burbank has quite
a tandem in Kyle Ivie and Stratos Christianakis leading its postseason
bid, with the addition of a pair of underclass standouts giving the crew
all of its to lock up a postseason spot. Perris (some fine early-season
efforts) and Newport Harbor are among the teams in contention for the
remaining spot.
Division II Girls - Heat 2 of 4
Race #24 - 2:47 p.m.
Ventura has had a phenomenal crew in the making since last year, with
veteran coach Bill Tokar having a great nucleus in junior Oriana Campbell,
sisters Jessica and Tara Bryant and freshman wiz Emily Spiker (yes, that
name rings familiar on these parts, doesn’t it?) to build with.
King High of Riverside dominated the Sunkist League action this fall,
with Kristin McHugh and Megan Fairley among those headlining a program
vaulting itself into the elite levels just four years after opening its
doors. Orange County powers Mater Dei ((Kristin Kovacich among the proven
big-time performers here) and Foothill (Katie Strachan and Amanda Kuehn
leading) are dangerous late-season entries here, with both programs noted
for peaking successes over the years.
Division III Boys -- Heat 1 of 2
Race #25 - 3:03 p.m.
If there’s a heavy favorite looming in any boys division this fall,
it’s Barstow High in Division III. This group is downright awesome,
with exceptional depth, proven experience and a work ethic that has kept
its opponents at bay. Adam Rodriguez and Avery Himes are among those constantly
interchanging in its finish order, with the desert crew usually packing
well in the opening mile of any major challenge. Diamond Ranch and Cabrillo/Lompoc
are two programs really kicking it up in recent weeks, with the former
gunning it at the Mt. Baldy League Finals to finish a strong second (to
Division I power Don Lugo) and the latter riding the coattails of two-lap
track specialist Duane Solomon to one fine showing after another. South
Hills continues to reload effectively, with JJ Langan and Derek Rundle
able to keep the Huskies in rankings prominence yet again! Pacifica, spawning
its own successful tradition in recent years, has Daniel Kor and Co. representing
the Orange County elite here.
Race #26 To be added
Division III Boys -- Heat 2 of 2
Race #27 - 3:30 p.m.
Santa Margarita has clearly erased its humbling mid-season showing at
the Clovis Invitational, with the Eagles brandishing a newfound motive
down the stretch to move into state-plaque contention after a recent 80:15
team effort at Mt. SAC. Senior Mike Powers (a division-leading 15:10 on
these hills this fall) has been the tower of strength for the crew, with
Kevin Papay and P.D. Zeitler among a very deep cast that should handle
the pressure as well as any in this division. Estancia remains a “plaque
factor” here, with Humberto Rojas (15:18) jumpstarting an able crew
that remains among Orange County’s most consistent programs. Lompoc
shook off some recent question marks by answering with a surprisingly
narrow one-point loss to Cabrillo at its league finals, returning this
traditional divisional power back to solid footing. Burroughs (Ridgecrest)
has really stepped up this fall to shake up some of the leading programs
here, with Jared Zurn heading up a young crew (only one senior) favored
to nab a state-meet berth. Corona del Mar eked out a narrow victory when
the chips were down at the recent Pacific Coast League League Finals,
assuring the Sea King faithful that the Kevin Artz-led contingent is well
prepared for the upcoming pressure cookers! San Luis Obispo has endured
a rare year of being out of the sectional rankings almost the entire way,
but the Daniel Nunn-led unit should find a way to keep adding to its postseason
successes.
Division IV Girls - Heat 4 of 4
Race #28 - 3:44 p.m.
Villa Park and Woodbridge - the new and the old… an Orange County
program on the rise and one that’s been around enjoying success
for a while. Could bragging rights up the ante today? Villa Park has left
most county coaches shell-shocked, each quietly admitting the Spartans
are far better than anyone initially gave them credit for. Erica Sahli
and Nicole Blalock are two pieces to its championship puzzle that took
shape once again at the Century League Finals. Woodbridge really comes
on strong at this point every season, with Kristen Berglas and Kelly Oelschlager
giving highly successful coach George Varvas just the tools he needs in
helping craft another blockbuster unit. Rio Mesa and Edison could battle
for the remaining two berths to finals, with the former having Monica
Serrano leading a group nicely taking shape in the stretch drive and the
latter having a healthy Maryann Pynchon making the group a dangerous darkhorse
down the road.
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