Dos Pueblos cross country received solid showings from both squads at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational on Saturday in Walnut.
The Charger boys placed ninth while the girls team came in 14th place in the Division 1/2 Sweepstakes.
Owen Abbott once again led the charge for the Dos Pueblos boys, crossing the finish line in 14th place with a time of 15:18.
He was followed by teammates Phillip Contakes (15:27, 20th), Ashton Smedley (15:45, 40th), Linus Martin (16:06, 63rd), Ian McMurtry (16:06, 65th) and Oliver Saleh (16:24, 80th).
“The boys executed exactly the kind of postseason race plan coaches dream about: a patient first mile, controlled second mile, and a hammer home,” Dos Pueblos head coach David Jackson said. “As the saying goes, ‘Championships aren’t won in the first mile, but they can be lost there.’
“The boys didn’t lose a thing. They sharpened the blade and cut through the field. And with just 18 seconds separating scorers three through five, DP showed the kind of team depth and closing strength that defines a state-qualifying squad.”
As for the girls, Cate Bishop’s personal-best time of 18:52 was good for 34th place and the top Charger finish.
The rest of the Dos Pueblos racers were Iyla Herrick (19:34, 66th), Emilie Joulie-Mares (19:35, 68th), Vienza Machuca (19:35, 69th), Selah Blackwell (19:51, 78th), Abby Chou (20:49, 92nd) and Madelyn Myers (21:04, 95th)
“For some of these athletes, this was their seventh time on this course, and it showed,” Jackson said. “They raced smart, tight and with the unmistakable rhythm of postseason readiness.
“Consistency is often the clearest signal of a team coming into form. Run together, finish together.”
The Chargers will compete in the Santa Barbara County Championships on Wednesday in Lompoc.
