Santa Barbara High’s Andreas Dybdahl and Anthony Fast Horse of Ventura have been battling each other for top honors the past two years in cross country and track.
Dybdahl was the frontrunner last season, winning the Channel League cross country title and the 1600 meters at the CIF State Track and Field Championships.
On Friday, it was Fast Horse taking the Channel League cross country boys individual title and Dybdahl finishing second at Oxnard’s College Park.
Fast Horse, who finished the flat 3-mile course in 14:15.82, led five Ventura runners in the top eight, propelling the CIF-SS Division 2 top-ranked Cougars to the team title with 22 points.
Dybdahl clocked a lifetime best of 14:39.06, leading Santa Barbara’s five top finishers among the top 12. The Division 2 third-ranked Dons placed second in the team standings with 42 points followed by Dos Pueblos with 82 and Rio Mesa with 105 for the league’s automatic CIF-SS berths.
San Marcos was fifth with 133 points and Buena (159), Oxnard (201) and Pacifica (252) rounded out the field.
Ventura’s top-ranked girls team dominated the league finals without top runner Sadie Engelhardt in the race.
San Marcos’ Kiala Haas spoiled the Cougars’ shot at a perfect score by taking fourth place. The senior ran 18:31.10.
Sophomore Melanie True took first place and was one of three Cougars to run under 18 minutes. Her winning time was 17:16.7. Ventura runners also took fifth, sixth and seventh.
Vienza Machuca (18:55.65) and Eloise Shea (19:12.58) of Dos Pueblos came in eighth and 10th, respectively.
The Chargers scored 67 points to finish a distant second behind Ventura’s 17 points. San Marcos (75) earned a CIF spot with a third-place finish and Oxnard (125) nabbed the fourth and the final automatic qualifying spot by a one-point advantage over Rio Mesa. Santa Barbara (138) and Buena (201) completed the field.
Santa Barbara Boys
Santa Barbara coach Olivia Perdices said Dybdahl and her team didn’t disappoint in the championship meet.
“This is the first chance Andreas has had this season to cut loose on a fast course and he didn’t disappoint,” she said. “The boys have some solid momentum moving into CIF.”
Santa Barbara advanced to CIF State Championships last season for the first time in school history.
Seventh-place Cainan Birchim ran a lifetime best of 15:19 and joined Dybdahl on the all-league first team. Sasha Tanasychuk led a solid Santa Barbara pack at the finish, placing 10th in 15:45. He was followed by Benjamin Diaz (11th, 15:45), Matthias Everest (12th, 15:47), Magne Henriques (14th, 15:57) and LT Crannell (20th, 16:20).
“It’s pretty sweet to put seven guys in the top 20 of a league this deep,” said Perdices. “Our depth has really been on display the last couple of weeks. We’ve slotted different guys into our lineup and they’ve all stepped in and done a tremendous job.”
Dos Pueblos Boys
Junior Eamon Gordon recovered from a fall midway through the race and fought his way back to a fifth-place finish in a time of 15:12.51, leading the Chargers back to the CIF-SS Prelims.
“Despite his scrapes and bruises, he got back up and raced hard to the end. This shows his determination continues to be unwavering,” said DP boys coach Rollie Woodward. “Despite his pain, he led our whole team on the cool down jog, giving words of encouragement to his teammates.”
Will Matthews was the second Charger finisher in 15th place in 16:00. He was followed by Andy Brennan (19th, 16:15.71), Linus Martin (21st, 16:22.92), Oliver Sales (22nd, 16:23.92), Ashton Smedley (25th, 16:34.24) and Owen Abbott (28th, 16:50.33.
San Marcos Boys
Junior Ashton Johnsen was the top finisher for the Royals, coming in 17th place in 16:06.94. Ben Callanan was 18th in 16:14.39.
“These boys should be very proud of themselves,” said coach Marilyn Hantgin. “They have put in so much time and effort to make their season successful and they did a great job.”
San Marcos Girls
Hantgin praised the performance of Haas, who spoiled Ventura’s shot of sweeping the top six places.
“Kiala ran a very competitive race. I am very proud of her challenging herself to run with some of the best girls in Division 2,” said Hantgin.
Samara Shalhoub placed 13th in a personal best of 19:34 and Melina Vela was 14th in a personal best of 19:36.
“These two worked together throughout the race to push each other and work through the challenging parts of the race,” said Hantgin.
Colette Keller (19th, 20:19) and Ellie Monson (25th, 20:49) rounded out San Marcos’ top five scorers.
Now it’s on to the CIF Prelims next Friday at Mt. San Antonio College.
“I’m excited for the girls to have another chance to race this season. They are peaking at the right time and I know they will be ready for the (Mt. SAC) hills next week.”
Dos Pueblos Girls
Machuca’s top-10 placement was key to the Chargers qualifying for CIF competition.
“Vienza’s ever-present smile, even when she didn’t feel good about her race, keeps our spirits up,” said DP teammate Cate Bishop. “After we finished, she checked in with us before cooling down. She’s looked up to by the other girls, and makes sure we’re all focused on what we can control.”
Shea, Sophie Saleh (12th, 19:30.38) and Bishop (16th, 19:58) all finished in the top 20 in the competitive race. Maddy Myers came in 21st (20:25.58)
“It was a strong team effort, led by Vienza, and the team came together,” said DP girls coach Shayne Mihalka. “Eloise ran faster than she did last week at County. Captain Sophie held us together, and Maddy did really well in the fifth position, bringing our team score just ahead of San Marcos. It shows the girls ran strong and did a great job, together.”
Santa Barbara Girls
Madeleine Van Bebber led the Dons with an 18th-place in 20:13. Belen Catalan Jaimes ran a personal best 20:44 for 24th.
“Maddy wrapped up a great junior season today,” said Coach Perdices. “She’s made some huge improvements over last year and is already anxious for more.
“It was great to see Belen healthy and up there battling after some early season injuries.”
