With the CIF-SS Prelims and Finals at the Riverside Cross Country course again this year, a number of SGV teams bypassed the traditional test at Mt.SAC to run here, including seven SGV ranked teams. The course here is mostly flat, but with many turns, it runs considerably slower than other flat 3-mile layouts.
In Division 1 – they divided the field here into three groups by size and quality – the Glendora girls turned in a strong performance, finishing 13th/98:05 behind 11 ranked teams. The Tartans were led by soph Emma Barrosa (57th/19:20) and helped by a tight 19 second gap from 1-4. California was just behind in 15th/98:34, led by Stephanie Reynoso at  48th/19:13.
In the boys Div. 1 California shook off several recent rough performances to finish 4th/79:09. Angel Salinas led the Condors with an excellent 11th/15:28.  Glendora was a solid 10th/81:36.
In Division 2, the Bishop Amat girls continued to improve, finishing 3rd/97:02 behind two ranked CIF Div. 2 teams.  Alhambra, in a big team step-up was 10th/101:35. Olivia Paez led the Lancers and all SGV girls with an 11th/18:35 finish, with the Moors Serena Duenas right behind at 12th/18:41. Amat received a boost in their post-season hopes from a big performance by frosh Janelle Santos (35th/19:45)
The heat was rising by the time Div. 3 went off, but that did not prevent Flintridge Sacred Heart turning in their best performance of the year, finishing 2nd/104:08. They edged out SGV #4 La Canada who were 3rd/103:13. The Spartans were strong again 1-3, with Ellaney Matarese 4th/18:59 the SGV’s best in the race, but missing a key runner, they had a nearly two-minute gap back to 4&5. The Tologs were also strong up front, with junior Lauren Nettels (8th/19:58)leading a 8-10 finish for the team, but their smaller, 80 second gap back to #5 was the difference.
In the Boys Div. 3 race, South Hills shook off the heat to finish 5th/84:28, with Los Altos just behind in 6th/85:36. SGV #10 Whittier, running only one of their usual first five, were 9th/88:49. The Hightower brothers of South Hills had probably the best day of their careers, finishing 1-2, Devin at 15:50 and Dillon at 16:02.
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