Santa Barbara’s Andreas Dybdahl ran a personal best 14:53.05 seconds to win the Channel League boys’ individual cross country title Friday, while powering the Dons to a runner-up team finish in the league meet at College Park in Oxnard, behind Ventura.
Dos Pueblos sophomore Eamon Gordon finished third place in the boys’ race with 14:58.61, and the team also finished in third place.
Dos Pueblos senior Phoebe Wolfe Lyons finished third in the girls’ race, with 18:51.67.
The boys’ team results were: 1. Ventura, 28 2. Santa Barbara, 51 3. Dos Pueblos, 65 4. Rio Mesa, 105 5. Buena 115 6. San Marcos, 139 7. Oxnard,148 8. Pacifica (Oxnard), 233
The girls’ team results were: 1.Ventura, 27 2. Dos Pueblos, 60 3. San Marcos, 72 4.Oxnard, 109 5. Rio Mesa, 114 6. Santa Barbara, 122 7. Pacifica (Oxnard), 219
Santa Barbara
“Andreas ran a phenomenal race,” Dons coach Olivia Perdices said. “He did exactly what he wanted to, staying with the leaders and taking the race in the finishing straight.
“He was in a group of three, with Ventura’s Micah Grossman and Dos Pueblos’ Eamon Gordon, and held his cards until there was no doubt he could beat them to the line. Micah made it tough (finishing in 14:53.64) but Andreas edged him out.”
Ventura took the team title with 21 points followed by Santa Barbara (51), Dos Pueblos (65), Rio Mesa (105) and Buena (115).
All five move on to the CIF Preliminaries.
“This league is so competitive,” Perdices said. “It’s fitting that we have five teams moving on.”
Four other Santa Barbara runners posted personal bests to secure the team’s high finish: Cainan Birchim (8th, 15:27), Bode Andrulaitis (12th, 15:46), Oliver Levine (14th, 15:57) and Nico Tassos (16th, 16:04).
“It’s fun to see these guys putting together their best races of the year as we head into the post season,” Perdices said.
In the girls race, Anne Knecht finished in fifth place in a personal best 19:04 to qualify for the CIF Preliminaries.
“Anne’s race execution was tremendous,” Perdices said “She ran exactly to plan, getting on the back of the lead group and moving up as the race went on, then out kicking a couple of girls in the last 200. She showed a ton of mental toughness and looked like she’s been doing this for years, not just a few races.”
The girls were sixth with 122 points. Mackenna Show (24th, 20:46), Ailey Alexander (29th, 20:57), Belen Catalan Jaimes (30th, 21:06) all ran personal bests on the day.
“It’s always good to wrap up your season with your best time.”
The Division 2 Preliminaries are Saturday, November 12, at Mt. San Antonio College.
San Marcos
The Royals girls finished third as a team, with the top five runners finishing 11th, 12, 14th, 16th and 19.
“Today was a total team effort,” Royals coach Marilyn Hantgin said. “Our strategy today was to work together.
“Kiala Haas was our number one today with Shaina King one second behind. Thanks to Shain, our girls team is as focused and dedicated as they are. She is an amazing leader and will be missed greatly next year.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these girls. They have been working so hard throughout the season, it is so great seeing them improve so much. I have all the confidence in the world of these girls.”
Baylie Bingham, Samara Shalhoub, Colette Keller, and Malina Murrey all ran personal bests, Hantgin said.
“Next week at CIF prelims, I know they will run their hearts out,” she said.
The Royals boys finished in sixth place.
“Bryan Edgar led the Royals all season as our number one runner and ended his cross country career with a great and hard fought run,” Hantgin said.
“Bryan is one of the most mentally strong runners I know. He is such a great example for all of our younger runners in the program.
“Ben Callanan wasn’t far behind Bryan, as he continued to improve each race. Lelland Sutter, a senior, ran a personal best today. Leland ran his heart out. He is one of those kids that can run through the pain. Today he showed he was going to end his high school career with a big personal best time. This is what it’s about!”
Dos Pueblos
Dos Pueblos finishers were:
Boys
Sophomore. Eamon Gordon 14:58.61 – 3rd place
Senior Luciani Koroschec 15:44.90 – 11th place
Senior. Tyler Jamieson 15:48.64 – 13th place
Junior Dominic Corral 16:21.60. – 17th place
Senior Orlando Ye 16:36.69 – 21st place
Girls
Senior Phoebe Wolfe Lyons 18:51.67. -3rd place
Senior Ellie Gleason 19:10.79 -6th place
Junior Sophie Saleh. 19:40.55 – 10th place
Sophomore Eloise Shea 20:03.40 – 15th place
Freshman Cate Bishop 20:56.80 – 28th place
“Our Chargers had a good day overall,” Dos Pueblos boys’ coach David Jackson said. “It was fun to watch the Chargers show what they’re made of, and take 2nd in all divisions and 3rd in the boys varsity team. Our coaches did a tremendous job connecting with each student-athlete, and it showed. Most of the team set 3 mile personal records, and many more came away with a course pr over our first run there in September.
“Eamon ran to his ability, given that he has been sick for the past two weeks. When he finished, his gas tank was empty. He’s been training consistently, and I’m sure getting 3rd today will motivate him over the rest of the season.
“Luci has arrived. He did a remarkable job of moving up through the field, and putting himself in the right place at the right time. There’s been a lot of emphasis on his gradual training regimine, and it seems to be leaving him healthy and ready to throw down. He wound up a big kick and flew right past Tyler in the home stretch.
“Tyler got into a rough race with his elbow rivals, and he managed to come out of it healthy enough to lead our 3-pack through most of the race. And when Luci went by, he held strong through to the finish. He showed more keen racing awareness than most I’ve worked with. He commented later that he knew Luci was going to return to old form eventually. He seemed happy that even though he got outkicked by Luci, it was great that he’s back.
“In the last mile, when Orlando began to slip further behind Tyler and Luci it was Dominic who stayed right in line with his teammates. Dom has been our glue, and once again he held us together. “
Chargers’ girls coach Micks Purnell said, “Our girls ran smart races. Sadie Engelhardt (1st-16:36.68) and Aelo Curtis (2nd-17:19.18) of Ventura took off from the gun. Phoebe Wolfe Lyons let them go and patiently rode in a pack of three girls and waited until she was confident she could beat them for third before making a push and gapping them. Ellie Gleason did virtually the same with the next small group of runners and was able to run away from them to secure 6th. We missed Ellie at County last week because of sickness. Resuming her consistent place as a scorer for use made a huge difference for the team today.
“Sophie Saleh has proven herself to be very competent and very tough. She patiently moved up through the field after a measured start to finish 10th. Eloise Shea did the same to become our 4th finisher in 15th place. Cate Bishop, who was in the back half of the field off the start, moved up steadily to became our 5th and final scorer.”
Both boys and girls varsity qualified for the CIF-SS Championships to be held at Mt SAC. Prelims on Saturday, November 12, and finals on Saturday, November 19. The Chargers are in Division 3.