Dos Pueblos boys and girls cross country each punched their tickets to the CIF-SS Div. 2 Finals with strong showings at the prelim meet on Friday on Mt. San Antonio College’s rain course.
The Charger boys took first place in the second heat, while the girls team came in second place in heat two.
Owen Abbott, Ashton Smedley and Cullen Gully led the way for Dos Pueblos boys as they each finished in the top 10, while Phillip Contakes, Linus Martin, Oliver Saleh and Tristan Marston rounded out the group.
The team averaged a time of 15:37 and had a spread of just 12 seconds.
“The boys showed grit, composure, and confidence; exactly what you want on Prelim day,” Dos Pueblos head coach David Jackson said.
On the girls side, Vienza Machuca was at the front of a pack that had a spread of 1:08 and an average time of 19:06.
“Led by Cate (Bishop)’s steady leadership, the squad attacked the rain course with real joy; leaning into the corners, navigating every slick twist and puddle, and looking like a team that loves to compete,” Jackson said. “Their focus and determination showed in every step.”
The CIF-SS Finals will be held next weekend back at Mt. San Antonio College.
Cate (Div. 5)
The Rams qualified both of their teams for the Div. 5 finals with solid performances on Friday.
Ati Zweiback paced the Cate boys team with a third-place individual finish, while Jordan Ryan crossed the finish line eighth.
They were followed by teammates Miles Williams (20th, 16:40), Bruce Li (25th, 16:51), Ethan Qui (36th, 17:13), Ian Sheshunoff (39th, 17:25) and Jackson Muller (40th, 17:27).
As for the girls, Sophie Blank came in fifth place and Aggie McTigue rounded out the top 10 in tenth place for the Rams.
The duo was joined by Carmen Lack (29th, 22:20), Michelle Wu (32nd, 22:26), Sofi Ridgway (43rd, 23:34), Rosita Power (52nd, 24:09), and Mimi Power (59th, 24:34).
Carpinteria High (Div. 5)
The Warrior girls team clinched a spot in the Division 5 finals with a third-place finish on Friday, while the boys team came up short in fifth place in their race.
“The girls team was tough as nails today and put together a great race while running in the pouring rain,” Carpinteria High head coach Angel Silva said. “The boys team also raced well, and missed qualifying as a team by one point. A tough loss for them, but they ran hard and gave it their all.”
Jaqueline Guadian (18:55) and Mila Martins (19:38) each registered top-10 finishes for Carpinteria in fifth and ninth place, respectively.
Penelope Row (18th, 20:33), Victoria Martinez (32nd, 21:41), Kenzi Gardner (46th, 22:42), Stacie Miranda (52nd, 23:07) and Lisa Stineman (64th, 24:04) rounded out the Warrior girls squad advancing to next week’s meet.
Meanwhile, Max Soto represented with a third-place showing at 15:42 and was the lone Warrior to advance to the CIF individual finals next week.
The rest of the Carpinteria racers were Aaron Ortega (26th, 16:58), Edwin Hernandez (27th, 16:59), Jaiden Ambriz (40th, 17:30), Gilberto Gomez (17:51) and Christian Dominguez (17:53).