By Leonard COUTIN

The Pacific League cross-country runners made their way through the CIF prelims this last Saturday, Nov. 10 on the Riverside City Cross-Country Course, a dirt course. The schedules for the prelims were carried out over a two-day contest: on Friday, Divisions 2 and 3 were held and on Saturday, Divisions 1, 4 and 5 were held. The top eight teams in each heat of Division 1, along with individuals who finished in the first 10 actual places and were not members of qualifying teams, would advance to the CIF championship cross-country finals. The finals are being held on Saturday, Nov. 17 starting at 7:45 a.m., also at Riverside City Cross-Country Course, for the Division 1 boys.

The Falcon boys have been consistent in their efforts throughout the entire season. In the Nov. 3 release by Rich Gonzalez of PrepCalTrack, the CV Falcons were ranked fifth. Great Oak and West Ranch made the charts again as the first and second place contenders.

Although it would have been nice on Saturday to see the Falcons place higher than sixth, what was most important was for CVHS to qualify to get the opportunity to return for the finals. CV lead runners were Dylan Wilbur who placed 18th (15:24.9) and Manan Vats, 19th, (15:25.0). Teammates contributing to assisting the Falcon team were Grant Lauterback placing 29th (15:35.5), Erik Faeuste, 45th, (15:54.8), Jack Meyers, 55th, (16:03.1), Chris Cubias, 58th, (16:04.1) and Ameer Mohammed, 61st, (16:08.1). The leadership of Falcons Vats and Wilbur made a strong force that was apparent on the course.

Arcadia boys scored third in the prelims and Burbank’s only runner, Leon Andres, qualified as well.

For the girls, Burbank scored fifth and moves on as well as Arcadia’s lead runner Joyce Wu. La Cañada boys and girls qualified in Division 4 and Flintridge boys and girls qualified in Division 5.