By Leonard COUTIN

It was pretty much business as usual when the Crescenta Valley High School varsity boys’ cross-country team members prepared for their early morning run on Monday: tying on their running shoes, stretching, readying themselves for the path ahead. But there was one thought on their minds: getting prepared to compete at the CIF state championships taking place on Saturday, Nov. 24 in Fresno at Woodward Park. 

Still basking in their win at the Pacific League conference championship and securing a position at the CIF prelims two weeks ago, the focus on last Saturday’s meet was making their mark at the CIF championship finals. It was there, on the Riverside City Cross-Country Course, they competed against some of California’s best runners.

The meet was composed of five boys’ and girls’ divisions, 24 teams plus the top 10 to 12 individuals depending on the division, resulting in one of the best competitive meets of the year. Spectators packed the course giving their support to the 170 runners and teams as they passed along the dirt path. The first race of the day began sharply at 7:45 a.m. starting with the boys Division 1 race. 

For Falcon senior Manan Vats, the thrill of running at the CIF championship finals was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. With four years of experience, Vats welcomed the challenge of helping his team move forward.

“At Riverside the goal was to run with the front group and score in the lowest position for my team,” Vats said of his strategy. “I executed this plan as I scored 14 points. I was very excited when we qualified, but ready to get back to work to prepare myself for next Saturday [Nov. 24].”

This will be Vats’ second trip to the CIF state meet as a Falcon. He is looking forward to the opportunity, believing he has yet to run his best race of the season.

Last Saturday, Vats and teammate Dylan Wilbur started solid, moving quickly through the crowd of runners to make their way to the first pack of athletes. Looking strong and in control, Vats ran his 1.5 mile in 8:11.1, in third position, while Wilbur was close, in 10th, running 8:11.4.

The pack was tight as it made its way around the three-mile course.

“In terms of strategy, with the course being so flat, there isn’t really much you can plan,” Wilbur said of Saturday’s competition. “The goal was to just get out in the top 10-15 and kind of see what would happen in the last mile.”

His speed made him a prime candidate for placement among the top 10 positions.

As the runners faced the final loop of the course, it was Wilbur who pulled ahead of Vats in the last 400 meters to cross the finish line, taking 12th with a time of 14:51.6. Vats placed 14th with a time of 14:52.7.

Falcon contributors were Grant Lauterback, running 37th with a time of 15:20.2; Erik Faeustle, 53rd, 15:28.5; Evan Doloszyci, 67th, 15:40.0; Jack Myers, 118th, 16:06.4; and Max Burton, 137th, 16:14.6.

“We are really excited about finishing fifth in CIF finals,” said CV’s coach Mark Evans. “This is the first time the boys have qualified for the state meet two consecutive years. This team set the goal of going to state in the summer and it is great to see them achieve it. The goal has been to not only qualify for the state meet but to also be one of the top teams at the state meet. They are capable of a great race. We are looking forward on getting back to Woodward Park. It is a course where we have had a lot of success; we always run well there. Everyone on the team stepped up with great races. All set personal bests on the course.” 

Wilbur, CVHS junior, added, “It definitely feels great to place fifth. We were very aware going into the season that we were certainly not the favorites for anything, which was a cool position to be in as it gave us the chance to exceed everyone’s expectations. Everything came together excellently, and it was exciting to see everyone else on the team do so well. I’m definitely excited to run again at Woodward Park. It’s a cross-country course through and through, and I’m sure it will be a true test of grit. I’m excited to show how hard our team has trained this season.”

Final team score: Great Oak 53, Dana Hills 96, West Ranch 135, Poly (Long Beach), Crescenta Valley 183, Mira Costa 241, California 246, La Serna 261, Yucaipa 277, Ayala 302, Roosevelt 322 and Arcadia 350

The Flintridge Prep boys’ and girls’ teams this year placed second in the Division 5 finals behind St. Margaret’s boys’ and girls’ teams. Flintridge Prep will again attend the state finals as they have several times in the past.

  Chuck UTASH, Leonard Coutin