DIVISION I GIRLS
A sensational collection
of girls teams -- perhaps the deepest divisional group in the entire
nation -- will toe the line for the Division I title, with the co-favorites
being a pair of squads very much avoiding the 2005 limelight up until
now. Thousand Oaks, fresh off a stunning 91:59 performance at the historically
significant Agoura HS course earlier this month, arrives here as a quickly
improving squad oozing with depth, loaded with experience, and focused
on success! The Lancers, a crew which has substituted freely throughout
the season to develop added depth, is led by dynamite senior Lynne Fletcher
and super sophomore Kaitlyn Sullivan. Fountain Valley, the high-mileage
program that has ascended into the national hierarchy over the last
15 months, has also split its lineup on many occasion this Fall, with
the Sunset League champion Barons kicking into their championship gear
in recent outings. FootLocker Nationals finalist Crystal Reed heads
the FV attack, with sophomore Elizabeth Coe and senior Jennifer Wells
among the deep cast of contributors seeking a trip to the awards podium
this weekend.
Royal, runner-up to Thousand
Oaks in a talent-stocked Marmonte League Finals clash, put forth a superb
qualifying effort here last weekend, with upperclassmen Kelcie Wiemann
and Rebecca Albarran leading the Highlanders to staggering improvement
along the Mt. SAC course as compared to a few weeks prior. Foothill
League rivals Canyon of Canyon Country and Saugus have waged heart-pounding
battles once again this Fall, with Canyon thus far able to thwart Saugus'
preseason predictions that a changing of the guard would take place
in league. Now comes the potential rubber match in postseason, with
the victor among these two almost assured a berth to the state meet.
Canyon's chances are fueled by senior Brenda Cohen's frontrunning talents,
with the Cowboys able to "pack run" as well as any large schools
program once the chips are down in the big-time races! Saugus is paced
by super junior Shannon Murakami, who strikes us as truly among California's
most gifted distance talents to come along over the last two decades!
The Centurions have remained tough in the face of injury in recent weeks,
unleashing a solid qualifying effort here last week, with super sophomore
Katie Dunn also keying the team's state meet hopes.
Murrieta Valley has
been steady but not customarily overpowering this Fall, with the Nighthawks
now gearing toward perhaps a big peak in solidifying a trip to the state
meet in Fresno, not to mention perhaps an upset or two along the way!
Junior Liana Boucher kickstarts the MV attack, with the roster littered
with talent well capable of breaking 93:45 if all cylinders are firing
this weekend. Sultana, hampered by injury and running shorthanded on
occasion in recent weeks, aims to rebound strongly here as senior Danielle
Varela and sophomore Samantha Espinola lead the charge.
The race for the individual
title will be a screamer up front, with five solo bids to the state
meet (for those not advancing as members of their full teams) up for
grabs. Saugus' Murakami is an amazing individual talent, harnessing
the strength, stamina and speed to be projected as the one to beat!
Glendora's Christy Adamyk, competing on what is in essence her home
course, Peninsula super senior Brittany Morreale and Quartz Hill's Brieanna
Morris appear safe bets to be in the lead pack. Keep an eye out for
diminutive-sized megatalent Alma Escobar, a 2004 FootLocker nationals
finalist, and super age-group phenom Ashley Evans to both be near the
front for Corona, a team with realistic state-meet chances! -- Rich
Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division I
Team Times Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Fountain Valley 93:06
1. Shannon Murakami (Saugus) 17:08
2. Saugus 94:18
2. Crystal Reed (Ftn Valley) 17:21
3. Thousand Oaks 95:11
3. Christy Adamyk (Glendora) 17:27
4. Murrieta Valley 95:26
4. Brittany Morreale (Peninsula) 17:41
5. Peninsula 95:34
5. Caitlin Fitzgerald (Highland) 17:44
6. Royal 95:53
6. Elizabeth Coe (Ftn Valley) 18:03
7. Ayala 95:54
7. Ashley Evans (Corona) 18:07
8. Glendora 96:06
8. Megan Fairley (Peninsula) 18:08
9. Highland 96:25
9. Samantha Espinola (Sultana)
18:18
10. Corona 96:47
10. Alissa Sanchez (Glendora) 18:24
10. Bowman (M.L. King) 18:12
EDISON GIRLS
DIVISION II GIRLS
In terms of sheer
drama and nerves surrounding a tensely close competition, today's Division
II girls affair grabs the spotlight as the deepest and tighest lineup
of superb programs we've seen in section finals history! We've pegged
as many as six loaded teams and one scary darkhorse as contenders for
the team championship, with several of those squads also hinging a good
part of their chances on a potential individual race victory by their
respective frontrunner! Newport Harbor is the hottest team at the moment,
with national-class talent Whitney Blue spearheading the Sailors' winning
parade through the talented Sea View League as well as a dominating
32-point triumph in last weekend's prelims. Ventura, which returns most
of the lineup that captured the Division I state crown last season,
has moved into Division II this Fall and has quietly but quickly made
noticeable improvements in recent outings to once again flash signs
it is ready to unleash one of its patented monstrous postseason performance
peaks! The Cougars had veteran Rebecca Brinkenhoff and talented underclass
newcomers McKay Shaw and Sally Venable run as a quick pack in fueling
the team's prelims heat win.
Edison of Huntington
Beach was the division's top-ranked team throughout the regular season
before seeing the gap begin to narrow in recent outings. The Chargers
are well armed to respond convincingly over the next eight days, however,
with frosh phenom Hilary Hayes now coming into her in giving Edison
a stunning four-person lead attack that also includes Candace Alai,
Courtney Kostrikin, and Mary Verran. Westlake, a team we had been predicting
as the one to watch down the stretch, is beginning to ignite at just
the right time -- including a slim one-point loss to Edison last weekend
- and remains a dangerous threat for the title. The Warriors had a trio
of runners crack 19 minutes in qualifying (heat winner Jasmine Hayes
as well as Kelly Adamski and Victoria Smith) and have the depth on board
to catch several teams off guard!
Woodbridge, the
lone Division II team to pin a defeat on Edison this Fall (although
the Chargers were resting a key runner that day) possesses a stellar
November tradition over the years, with the Warriors often finding their
way to the podium for some hardware! Woodbridge is led by the Babcock
sisters -- Christine and Jessie -- with any improvement on the depth
side of the equation this weekend providing the squad with dangerous
upside. Ayala, which uncharacteristically struggled at season's outset,
has found itself in a strong groove of late to move into championship
contention. The Bulldogs have Briana Cahn and improved talent Noelle
Hum heading their efforts as they seek yet another trip to Fresno. Serrano,
which stunned all of us to peak perfectly last season in racing to a
surprise berth to the state meet, has been coasting by design this season
-- but nearly found itself eliminated last weekend, having to rely on
a time-based at-large bid to extend its season. The team has speed merchant
Kauren Tarver at the front of its attack, with Diana Medina and Maya
Moore among those being counted on to rev up the pace this weekend!
The race up front
for individual honors should be absolutely dynamite, with Newport Harbor's
Blue, Serrano's Tarver and Mira Costa's Kevyn Murphy already distinguishing
themselves as easily among the premier talents on the West Coast! Murphy
is the newest name on the block, a freshman with an accomplished career
as a triathlete in open and age-group competition who has progressed
in rapid fashion during her baptism into cross-country. Tarver, might
have the slight edge, having beaten Murphy twice head-on this season,
although Blue has an uncanny knack to purr along at a smoothly aggressive
rate that others find hard to match! Keep an eye also on Simi Valley's
Anna Sperry, who motored to a spectacular 17:33 last weekend to lead
divisional qualifying. -- Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division II Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Newport Harbor 95:05
1. Kauren Tarver (Serrano)
17:02
2. Woodbridge 95:07
2. Kevyn Murphy (Mira Costa) 17:09
3. Westlake 95:47
3. Anna Sperry (Simi Valley) 17:33
4. Ayala 95:54
4. Whitney Blue (Newport Harbor) 17:43
5. Edison-HB 96:03
5. Jasmine Hayes (Westlake) 17:54
6. Mira Costa 96:42
6. Christina Babcock (Woodbridge) 18:04
7. Serrano 96:52
7. Stephanie Felix
(La Mirada) 18:06
7. Simi Valley 96:52
8. Markie Voyles (Don Lugo) 18:10
9. West Torrance 97:31
9. Jessie Babcock (Woodbridge) 18:09
10. Ventura 97:59
10. Nelson (Whittier) 18:28
CORONA DEL MAR GIRLS
DIVISION III GIRLS
Perhaps the most
intriguing saga in today's 10-race competition occurs right here as
the nation's top-ranked program could very well leave itself vulnerable
to an upset (believe it or not!) in its final challenge before the state
meet. Corona del Mar, unbeaten in Southern Section competition this
Spring and elevating itself to #1 in the national landscape after a
stunning Mt. SAC Invitational run here last month, looked absolutely
dominant in qualifying action here last weekend. How else to describe
a perfect 15-point score (taking the first five overall scoring places)
and becoming the 5th-fastest team-time performer (91:53) on the since-renovated
Mt. SAC course during its qualifying run. Recent Stanford signee Annie
St. Geme led the effort with a lifetime-best 16:58 effort (equalling
the CIF-SS postseason course record), Sarah Cummins timing 17:54, and
the packed triumvirate of Allison Damon (18:56), Shelby Buckley (19:01)
and Nichole Slykhaus (19:04) completing the scoring. Why so fast? The
Sea Kings were using the race as a simulation of the state meet, trying
to mimic the conditions of having to seemingly "race against the
clock" in order to help their chances of posting an effort perhaps
as strong as needed to earn an invitation into the unrelated Nike Team
Nationals club event in the first weekend of December.
If CdM gets caught
looking ahead to the state meet, however, it could very well pay the
price today against an outstanding Oak Park team that checked in with
a trio of girls (Courtney Lightfoot, Breeann Strenkowski and Marissa
Diehl) at sub-18:45 here last weekend and another not too far behind.
The Eagles have kept a low profile much of the season, often to bypass
showdowns within certain major meets while gradually building momentum
heading into the championship phase of the season.
The battle for team
positions is wide open from there, with nearby Valley/Inland Empire
powers Bonita and Diamond Ranch among a small group well situated for
that third-place position -- but seemingly several minutes behind the
top two programs. This will also be a major dogfight for the seven team
berths to state, with nine teams appearing to be well in the mix for
those remaining five berths after Corona del Mar and Oak Park.
Do not be surprised
if the first 6-10 individual positions all come from either Corona del
Mar or Oak Park, as both squads are front-heavy on talent, led by race
favorite Annie St. Geme of Corona del Mar. Bonita's Laura Heuring and
Irvine's Katherine Nielsen are other key threats to be found in the
lead packs. -- Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division III Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Corona del Mar 91:53
1.
Annie St. Geme (Corona dM) 16:58
2. Oak Park 95:14
2. Sarah Cummins (Corona
dM) 17:54
3. Bonita 98:07
3. Katherine Nielsen (Irvine) 18:15
4. Irvine 100:46
4.
Shelby Buckley (Corona dM) 18:15
5. Diamond Ranch 100:50
5. Courtney Lightfoot
(Oak Park) 18:36
6. Santa Margarita 101:26
6. Breanne
Strenkowski (OakP) 18:40
7. Yucca Valley 101:27
7. Marissa Diehl (Oak Park) 18:41
8. Laguna Hills 101:31
8. Laura Heuring (Bonita) 18:44
9. Atascadero 102:02
9. Allison Damon (Corona dM) 18:56
10. Rim of the World 103:03
10. Sara Crowder (Rim/World) 18:57
ORANGE LUTHERAN GIRLS
DIVISION IV GIRLS
Orange Lutheran
appears to be the class of the field here, especially after a lights-out
solid third-place finish at the Woodbridge Invitational in mid-September.
Since then, the crew has gone into its customary stealth mode at certain
major meets, aiming toward perhaps another patented late-season peak
and perhaps the section crown. Jacqueline Turner and Jane Kerner are
two of the pistons in the Orange Lutheran machine, which appears to
be well oiled these days. Paraclete, another program with a fine postseason
pedigree over the years, could have the inside track for the runner-up
position, with Kaitlin Huerta, Alexis Velasquez and Haley Kennedy providing
a solid trio up front.
Maranatha, last
year's state champions in Division V, has moved up a notch in enrollment
level this Fall, with the Minutemen primed for perhaps another solid
seasonal close as Rachel Gill and MacKenzie Klein bolster the roster
heading into the high-stakes races. Harvard/Westlake, with Bridget Ballard
as a key veteran frontrunner for the Wolverines, is another fine squad
with award aspirations this weekend, along with a dangerous Desert Christian
of Lancaster squad.
Roseanne Fleming
of Oaks Christian is the favorite for top individual honors, but prelims
heat winners Alex Crawley of Laguna Beach (winnnig by 21 seconds) and
Kate Grace of Marlborough (also an outstanding 800-meter talent in track)
are among the top challengers. -- Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division IV Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Orange Lutheran 99:13
1. Roseanne
Fleming (Oaks Chr) 18:34
2. Paraclete 100:29
2. Jenessa Rose (St. Bonavent.)
18:44
3. Maranatha 100:42
3. Bridget Ballard (Harv/West) 19:10
4. Marlborough 101:53
3. Kate Grace (Marlborough) 19:10
5. Morro Bay 102:23
5. Rachel Gill (Maranatha) 19:14
6. Harvard/Westlake 103:12
6. Alex Crawley (Laguna
Beach) 19:16
7. Louisville 105:33
7. Jacqueline Turner
(Ora Luth) 19:17
8. Laguna Beach 107:06
7. Alexis Velasquez (Paraclete) 19:17
9. Westridge 107:07
9. Kaitlin Huerta (Paraclete)
19:19
10. Big Bear 107:14
9. Liza Truax (Santa Ynez)
19:19
FLINTRIDGE PREP GIRLS
DIVISION V GIRLS
Prep League rivals
Chadwick and Flintridge Prep appear primed for two more weeks of championship
action, with the major prizes being decided here! Chadwick emerged as
the league champion, effectively shoring up and then eliminating the
gap existing between the teams at season's outset. Chadwick has steadily
improved this Fall, limiting the number of hard efforts while gauging
itself for perhaps yet another excellent postseason peak. Jessica McFarlane
and Elise Yoshida are among the team leaders, being called upon to answer
the bell for the championship while the fine Flintridge Prep program
counters with Kathryn Iwata, Amanda Peterson and Lindsay Von der Ahe.
This will be a fun one to watch play out!
Cate School, which
appeared to coast through a gear at the section prelims, is another
powerful squad here, but was topped by St. Margaret's (and Flintridge
Prep) in a competitive qualifying heat a week ago. Cate is led by Allison
Ryu. Linfield Christian, perhaps the surprise of the division in 2005,
was a close runner-up to top-ranked Chadwick in qualifying, with sophomores
Erika Lacy and Ashley Johnson heading up the effort.
Look for a very
spirited individual battle here, with two-time state champion Tani Brown
of Brentwood and Woodcrest Christian senior Ashleigh Pratt projected
as the main combatants. Pratt earned a mild psychological upper hand
in last weekend's qualifying, where she earned a four-second win over
Brown as both were pitted in the same prelims heat! -- Rich Gonzalez,
DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division V Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Flintridge Prep 103:09
1.
Ashleigh Pratt (Woodcrest Chr.) 19:21
2. Chadwick 103:32
2. Tani Brown (Brentwood) 19:37
3. Linfield Christian 103:57
3. Erika Lacy
(Linfield Chr.) 19:38
4. St. Margaret's 104:59
4.
Ashley Johnson (Linfield Chr) 19:41
5. Cate 106:18
5. Jessica McFarlane (Chadwick) 19:55
6. Sage Hill 107:23
6. Amber Herkey (Bell-Jeff)
20:02
7. Bell-Jeff 107:30
7. Desire Cisneros
(Silver Valley) 20:08
8. Pasadena poly 108:58
8. Ciara Gonzalez (Flintridge Prep) 20:10
9. Ontario Christian 109:29
9. Katie
McKeon (Sage Hill) 20:16
10. Mammoth 110:27
10. Molly Leitherland (Calvary Chapel) 20:18
ROYAL BOYS
DIVISION I BOYS
Royal High has been
the standard of excellence by which all others have been compared over
the last two years, with the Highlanders better than ever this time
around! Currently ranked third in the nation by one publication (The
Harrier magazine), Royal has both the frontrunners and the depth to
prove too tough for their rivals thus far! Junior gem Michael Cybulski
will don the racing flats today after sitting out multiple races due
to injury in recent weeks, with the talented 15-year-old scorching to
a 14:53 clocking here last month while nursing a kept-under-wraps injury.
Royal will be resting out senior captain Jason Pedersen, however, opting
to give him a week of bonus rest after recent injury did little to prevent
him from an exceptional qualifying run last weekend. Kevin Sullivan
(recently committed to UCLA), Hudson Andrews, vastly improved Jun Reichl,
Danny Benson and Dustin Patterson have been the remaining stalwarts
for the deep program.
El Toro, boasting amazing
depth this Fall, welcomes back team captain Anthony Masci from injury
this weekend, with the Chargers (led by Kip Miller and Nate Mouzis in
qualifying) also resting another a week ago and raring to give it a
go at full strength this weekend! Murrieta Valley and Trabuco Hills
drew an intense matchup in qualifying last weekend, with the front-heavy
TH crew gaining the edge thanks to siblings Riley and J.T. Sullivan
and teammate Scott Blair at the forefront. Murrieta Valley, usually
led by Patrick Milloy and Michael Munoz, should be breathing fire today!
El Rancho posted the top qualifying time of the day last weekend in
a decisive win over perennial power Dana Hills, with the big stakes
rematch on tap today. El Rancho has had frontrunner Manny Mejia joined
by Luis Guevara, while Dana Hills is powered by the frontrunning talents
of Ivan Garcia and Jorge Gonzalez.
Upland and Arcadia
have repeatedly enjoyed very successful outings this fall, with the
former led by the talented duo of Ryan Gamboa and Albert Davila and
the latter headed up by senior Paul Beckwith and junior Andrew Pilavjian.
Upland has rebounded from a few mid-season setbacks while Arcadia has
rocketed to the best season in school history!
The race pace up front
should be established by the Mercado Twins from West Covina High. Diego
Mercado ran a scintillating 14:24 to smash the course record here last
month, with brother Daniel taking second (14:40) in that race. Royal's
Cybulski and Sullivan, Murrieta Valley's Milloy and Munoz, Los Osos'
Scott Harris (apparently now fully recovered after a lengthy bout with
mono), Gamboa, Crescenta Valley's Nathan Sellers and twins Dylan and
Spencer Knight of La Sierra should all be in that front pack. -- Rich
Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division I Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Royal 76:22
1. Diego Mercado
(West Covina) 14:24
2. Murrieta Valley 78:05
2. Daniel Mercado (West
Covina) 14:40
3. El Rancho 78:07
3. Michael Cybulski (Royal) 14:53
4. El Toro 78:20
4. Nathan Sellers (Crescenta Va)
15:00
5. Dana Hills 78:50
5. Scott Harris (Los Osos) 15:03
6. West Covina 78:53
5. Manny Mejia (El Racho) 15:03
7. Upland 79:12
7. Spencer Knight (La Sierra)
15:05
8. Arcadia 79:35
8. Patrick Milloy (Murrieta Valley)
15:06
9. Trabuco Hills 79:36
9. Luis Guevara (El Rancho) 15:10
10. Corona 80:40
10. Hudson Andrews (Royal) 15:12
10. Kevin Sullivan (Royal) 15:12
ST. JOHN BOSCO BOYS
DIVISION II BOYS
Valencia High enters
as the quality favorite here, but much drama and uncertainty envelops
the division otherwise, making this quite a nerve-racking affair for
supporters of the 14 teams involved! Valencia's lone setback in 2005
was a narrow one to Division I regional power El Toro at the Orange
County Championships last month, with the crew arriving here very fresh
and looking for one final tuneup before a highly anticipated showdown
with Sac Joaquin juggernaut Jesuit high next weekend. Valencia is led
by the great tandem of Roman Pena and Josh Linen, with the crew actually
being very deep at all scoring positions to make it very difficult for
any team to topple them.
If there is such a
team, however, the best bet is that it is Don Lugo. Although fairly
inconsistent for varying reasons this Fall, the Conquistadores have
four very good runners and a promising young crew that could unleash
a fierce challenge if all cylinders click. Alfred "Stomps"
Gonzalez, Daniel Garza and Alex Mercado were hot last weekend, with
the group needing Cesar Mercado to respond well today if they are to
contend. Additionally, Don Lugo was missing a pair of runners to injury
last weekend, bit figures to be ready to go now. St. John Bosco, which
graduated a ton of talent before shoring up nicely this summer, has
risen admirably through the ranks from week to week and now finds itself
with a golden chance to claim the runner-up plaque, with Victor Bonilla
and a now healthy Jonathan Batres infusing confidence into the crew.
Ventura is the oh-so-dangerous
newcomer to the title hunt, with the Cougars coming from outside the
Top 10 rankings to win their qualifying heat in impressive fashion last
weekend. Ben Bernaldo (sibling to former FootLocker nationals qualifier
Will Bernaldo while at Nordhoff) leads the talented collection. West
Torrance, which gears itself up very effectively for these year-end
clashes, is another dangerous squad to keep in consideration.
The race for the individual
title should be a thrilling one, with nearly a dozen individuals courting
the skills needed to snare the top spot this weekend! Kent Morikawa
was the big surprise to many during section qualifying, posting the
top time (15:19) of the entire day to gain the psychological edge on
his rivals, but Ted Price is an exceptional runner hailing from the
well respected Camarillo program that has churned out its fair share
of top-end harriers over the years. Price, sidelined by injury early
on, is beginning to roll at just the right time! Orange County talents
Curtis Aukshunas (El Modena) and Jayson Hayes (Edison) are two additional
talents well capable of big personal breakthroughs this weekend, with
both having a glimpse at the title as well. Don Lugo's very talented
trio could do major damage at the front of the race, obviously also
setting the table for a great team-scoring effort! -- Rich Gonzalez,
DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division II Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Valencia 79:07
1. Kent Morikawa (Torrance) 15:13
2. Chino Hills 80:07
2. Ted Price (Camarillo) 15:15
3. West Torrance 81:34
2.
Alfred Gonzalez (Don Lugo) 15:15
4. Don Lugo 81:10
4. Daniel Garza (Don Lugo) 15:30
5. Torrance 81:12
5. Henri Flores (Ayala) 15:32
6. Ventura 81:16
6. Curtis Aukshunas (El Mod)
15:33
7. St. John Bosco 81:18
7. Ryan
Frost (La Habra) 15:34
8. Ayala 81:51
8.
Jayson Hayes (Edison) 15:35
9. Mira Costa 81:45
9. Tom Richter (Serrano) 15:36
10. Loyola 81:51
10. Luis Dorantes (Whittier) 15:37
CABRILLO BOYS
DIVISION III BOYS
Let's not fool ourselves...
from Day One this season, it figured to be a two-team battle for the
title come November, with Barstow opening the season as the top pick
over Cabrillo of Lompoc for the top spot. Since then, both squads have
run well, but Cabrillo has seemingly flashed better high-end consistency
thus far to gain the upper hand in the polls. This will be their first
head-on clash of the season, however, with Cabrillo having the projected
slight upper hand in the front-scoring positions and Barstow this far
harboring the advantage in the all-important rear-scoring spots. Both
squads have entertained fairly cautious schedules this Fall, no doubt
pointing for the big performance peak here! Cabrillo is led by national-class
senior Michael Coe, who ran an unchallenged 14:50 here in the Mt. SAC
Invitational last month and just last week committed to compete collegiately
for an awakening UC Berkeley program. Colin Hacker is another clutch
senior on board for Cabrillo, with Jeff Monteleone another key contributor
for the crew. Barstow has the depth to challenge, but it first must
compete well up front, and that task falls in the hands (or in the feet!)
of seniors leader Sam Melton and Travis Densmore and juniors Carlos
Perez and Robert Densmore.
Corona del Mar
has been the distant pursuer to those top two programs all year long,
with the Sea Kings being very consistent this Fall and just barely able
to hold off a quick-rising Oak Park unit in qualifying action last weekend.
CdM is a fairly balanced lineup, with seniors Matt Prentice and Kenneth
Wong pacing the crew. Oak Park, which always come ready to run in November,
has Anthony Pondella leading the Ventura-area crew!
The performance
projections get quite crazy from there, with a slew of squads very close
to each other in the pecking order and all battling for bids to next
weekend's state meet in Fresno. Servite, with seniors Peter Robie and
Rory Mahony at the forefront, and a nicely improving Laguna Hills squad
appear to be the frontrunners for those remaining spots! Cabrillo's
Coe and Hacker and Santa Margarita's Julian deRubira are three very
talented harriers expected to wage battle for the title up front, with
Barstow's Melton and Northview's David Smith also projected to be among
the leaders. -- Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division III Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Cabrillo 79:03
1. Michael Coe
(Cabrillo) 14:50
2. Barstow 80:18
2. Julian deRubira
(SM) 15:12
3. Corona del Mar 81:35
3. Sam
Melton (Barstow) 15:28
4. Oak Park 82:24
4. Davis Smith (Northview) 15:29
5. Servite 82:55
5. Colin
Hacker (Cabrillo) 15:31
6. Laguna Hills 83:00
6. Miguel Ortiz (Cabrillo) 15:40
7. La Canada 83:20
7. Stuart Murphy (Barstow) 15:43
8. Santa Margarita 83:21
8. Ernie
Castaneda (Est) 15:36
9. Estancia 83:36
9. Alan Lloyd (Burroughs)
15:44
10. Rim of the World 83:41
10. Anthony Pondella (OP) 15:48
LAGUNA BEACH BOYS
DIVISION IV BOYS
Finally! Orange Lutheran
and Laguna Beach, two programs that prescribe by the "delayed gratification"
philosophy in training through their regular season meets all the while
pointing toward a championship peak, will finally settle the score in
a head-on challenge for the crown. Orange Lutheran, which pack ran while
in essence jogging to a prelims heat win last weekend, is loaded at
this level, with Cameron Everhart and Matt Towles among the weapons
in this year's team attack. Laguna Beach, which rose from the ashes
of injury to claim the state title last November, has all-state candidates
Max Mullender and Jeremy Eaton heading the charge (although the latter
has been injured in recent weeks, with his status questionable for today),
with the crew entering the season wide-eyed and no doubt recalling and
eyeing the fine seasonal close of a year ago.
Maranatha, another squad
opting to gauge itself conservatively this season after moving up from
Division V, and Big Bear are expected to battle for the third-place
team position (unless we're underestimating their chances against the
top two above), with both looking very strong for bids to Fresno. Maranatha
has Tony Hilling leading a fairly revamped lineup from the one that
enjoyed November success a year ago, with Big Bear following the lead
of all-state performer Chad Hall and having ample backup from there!
The individual battle has
Hall as the very clear favorite, projecting to be a race against the
watch unless he opts to conserve a bit for upcoming challenges such
as the state meet and perhaps a serious bid at Foot Locker West Regionals.
Hilling, hailing from the well-prepped Maranatha stable, might be Hall's
nearest pursuer. -- Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division IV Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Orange Lutheran 84:28
1. Chad
Hall (Big Bear) 15:40
2. Big Bear 84:35
2. Tony Hilling
(Maranatha) 15:57
3. Laguna Beach 85:29
3. Adam Cunningham (Mil.) 16:01
4. Notre Dame 85:37
4. Julio Ortega (St. Joseph) 16:05
5. Maranatha 85:48
5. Geoff Dunn (Notre Dame)
16:08
6. Morro Bay 87:35
6. Edwin Flores (Parcalete) 16:17
7. Paraclete 87:44
7. Cameron Everhart
(Or Lu) 16:18
8. St. Bonaventure 88:42
8. Max Mullender (Lag Bch) 16:21
9. Malibu 88:45
9. Marcus Buckles (29 Palm) 16:23
10. Duarte 88:55
10. Kyle Block
(Oaks Chr.) 16:30
WOODCREST CHRISTIAN BOYS
DIVISION V BOYS
Don't be fooled by
the team times put forth in qualifying last weekend... this division
is not as close as it seems for the top spot. Woodcrest Christian of
Riverside is the heaviest favorite in any division today, with the Royals
figuring to win this division by roughly four minutes if all goes to
plan this weekend. The crew ran as an in-line pack at prelims, with
veterans Kody Peterson and Tim Burdett keying the team's achievements
thus far in 2005. AFTER Woodcrest Christian, then it gets interesting.
Prep League rivals Flintridge Prep, Webb and Chadwick will renew "competitive
friendships" yet again this weekend, battling Brentwood, Oakwood
and Cate (among several others) for bids to the state meet!
Flintridge Prep has
overhauled its roster after major graduation losses before the summer,
but the Rebels have rebuilt effectively, with lone scoring returnee
Tom Adams leading the exemplary effort thus far. Blake Adams leads a
Webb School unit that matches up pretty evenly against Chadwick (paced
by Travis Cohoon and Eric DePauw) as they also vie for the runner-up
plaque here today! Brentwood (pack runners), Cate (with Quentin Reynolds
at the front end) and Oakwood (with veteran Aric Van Halen winning his
heat last weekend) will be major factors as well.
In the battle for individual
accolades, Oakwood's Van Halen is the favorite, with Flintridge Prep's
Tom Adams, Buckley's Clay Dumas and junior Cole Pavlovich of St. Margaret's
also in excellent position for divisional all-section honors. -- Rich
Gonzalez, DyeStatCal.com
Seasonal-best Division V Team Times
Seasonal-best Individual Times
1. Woodcrest Chr. 81:04
1. Tim Burdett (Woodcrest
Chr.) 15:34
2. Flintridge Prep 84:29
2. Kody
Peterson (Woodcrest Chr.) 15:39
3. Webb 86:09
3. Aric Van Halen
(Oakwood) 16:04
4. Oakwood 87:10
4. Blake Adams (Webb) 16:15
5. Cate 87:44
5.
Miguel Cisneros (Santa Clara) 16:25
6. Chadwick 87:45
6. Tom Adams (Flintridge Prep) 16:27
7. Brentwood 87:51
7. J.R. Barreto (Woodcrest Chr) 16:29
8. Ontario Chr 88:16
8. Jake Jeanson (Woodcrest Chr) 16:34
9. Thacher 88:41
9. Thomas Flynn (Flintridge
Prep) 16:43
10. Buckley 88:51
10. Matt Kleinart (Flintridge Prep) 16:47
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