Carson cross country shines in Clovis

Appeal StaffReport

The Carson High boys and girls cross country teams had another strong day at the high-powered Clovis (Calif.) Invitational on Saturday.

Both Carson's boys and girls finished ninth in their division out of 34 teams in the meet ran at Woodward Park, which hosts the California State Championships. Carson's boys finished just two minutes, 18 seconds behind first place Saugus, Calif., ranked No. 5 in Division II in California. "They had a great day," Carson coach Pete Sinnott said.

The Senator boys also actually had a little better overall time than Reno High, another Northern 4A power. The Huskies ran in another division.

"We ran pretty even with them," Sinnott said.

Carson's girls also finished just three points out of seventh in a division that also featured Saugus, the nation's No. 1 ranked team, which won the meet.

Virtually all of the boys and girls improved their times from last year, improving their times anywhere from 10 seconds to four minutes.

"Overall the made huge improvements," Sinnott said. "The overall improvement was just tremendous."

Carson's boys had four runners who went under 17 minutes on the 3.04-mile course and all seven runners went under 18 minutes. Leading the way was Richard Shroy, who took ninth in 15:58.

Shroy had been battling nagging injuries throughout the season. "Richard is starting to get his stride back," Sinnott said.

Nick Schlager took 44th in 16:30, Logan Philippi was 45th in 16:32 and Brent Moyle was 60th in 16:48 for Carson. Also for CHS, Brandon Bournacorsi finished in 17:20, Evan Richards finished in 17:31 and David McMasters finished in 17:44.

Three Carson girls finished under 20 minutes.

Yvonne Hollett was 17th in 19:32, Amanda Gordon was 20th in 19:34 and Jenny Mital was 31st in 19:49. Also for Carson, Haleigh finished in 21:09 and Erika Sosa finished in 21:22.

Carson's junior varsity boys finished 14th as as every runner set a personal best: Josh Van Sickle (18:45), Andrew Richards (19:09), Noel Lopez (19:18), Justice Kemp (20:26), Ricardo Urgarte (20:39), Miguel Hernandez (20:44), Brandon O'Keefe (20:50) and James Levins (20:45).

CHS had three JV girls in the event and all three set personal bests: Ashley Salcedo (24:41), Katie Ogburn (26:03) and Haley Toupes (27:11).

SIERRA LUTHERAN SHINES

It was a banner day for the Sierra Lutheran cross country program at the Lowry Invitational on Friday.

Sierra Lutheran's boys took home their third title of the year, the Sierra Luthern junior varsity boys also took first and Sierra Lutheran's two female runners, Becky Grabow and Tori Jackson, both medaled.

Wade Meddles won the varsity boys race, finishing the 3.1-mile course in an impressive 17:09. Also for the Douglas County school, Michael Kubel and Jason Deterding also finished in the top five with Detering finishing fifth in 18:44. Freshman Nathanael Williams was 10th (19:06), Levi Grabow was 19th (19:31) and Andrew Deterding was 22nd (19:37). Rounding out Sierra Lutheran's team was Preston Lyons (30th, 19:59) and John McRae (50th, 21:32.

Michael Kubel finished fith in 18:44. Freshman Nathanael Williams finished in 10th (19:06), Levi Grabow 19th (19:31), Andrew Deterding 22nd (19:37) to make up the top 5 Falcon runners to score points that gave Sierra Lutheran High School the win at the meet.

Completing the varsity teams exceptional performance was Preston Lyons 30th (19:59) and John McRae 50th (21:32).

Grabow, a freshman won the junior varsity girls race in 24:58. The weather for the combined JV boys and girls race was overcast with wind and snow and was cold. Jackson was fourth in 28:10.

Five of Sierra Lutheran's runners finished in the top 10 to medal. Jason Deterding won the race in 20:38. He was followed for Sierra Lutheran by Bob DePaoli (fourth, 21:23), Nathan Conover (sixth, 21:37), Nick DePaoli (seventh (21:46), Conner Love (10th, 21:57). Rounding out Sierra Lutheran's effor was Anthony Brewer (13th, 22:48), Ryan Jackson (16th, 23:04) and Ben Martin (28:10).