Falcons Boast Strong Early Cross Country Marks

By Leonard COUTIN

The Falcons performed well on Thursday against Camarillo and Santee at their first season non-scoring competitive meet at Crescenta Valley Park. After a successful summer running program, capped off with a week at Mammoth running in high altitude, the Falcons are well prepared for the season as strong contenders for the league. Senior Dylan Wilbur returns to the course with three successful years running cross-country at CV. He boasts a successful track mark winning the Division 1 in the 1600m race with a time of 4:12.31. Also returning is senior Erik Faeustle, who proved last year he was a key point contributor. The Falcon girls will look to seniors Samantha Moore and Sophia Atin to help ignite the team though, sadly, Atin was put on the injured list.

“We are pleased with how we ran. It was nice to get a race in to start the season,” said CVHS Head Coach Mark Evans. “We are pleased with our grouping and believe we can be even better. We have very good depth and believe we will get stronger as the season progresses. It was an excellent opening race for Erik Faeustle, Chris Cubias, Jack Myers and Max Burton among others. Dylan Wilbur had a good opening effort running under 16:00 and was controlled doing this.”

The Falcon boys successfully scored the top six places in the race. Wilbur ran a 5:20 at the first mile mark, ultimately winning in a time of 15:57. Erik Faeustle placed second (16:13) followed by junior Chris Cubias (16:27), junior Mark Burton (16:50), and senior Christian Peraza (17:31).

Camarillo’s Jaime Gonzalez was the lead scorer for his team taking seventh in a time of 17:38. David Michel from Santee placed 11th in a time of 18:18.

Final boys varsity team score: CV 15, Camarillo 51, and Santee 73.

The Falcon girls also showed great promise early in the season with senior Moore taking the lead for the team. Running a very competitive race against Santee’s strong runner Norma Alvarez, the two battled throughout the three-mile course but in the last quarter mile Alvarez proved to be the stronger. She took first in a time of 19:53 and Falcon senior Moore placed second running 20:18. Falcon junior Juliana Cheney captured third (20:35) followed by Santee runner Destiny Lopez (20:38). CV junior Sarah Guzman placed fifth running 20:50 and teammates Ily Nelson, senior, placed seventh running 21:08 followed by senior Sarah Benitez (21:16).

“Samantha Moore had a very good race. Sarah Guzman has gotten so strong over the summer and had a great effort,” said Evans. “Juliana Cheney looked very good in her first ever cross-country race.”

Final girls varsity score: CV 25, Camarillo 50, and Santee 54.

To see more photos by Leonard Coutin, visit www.cvweekly.com/SPORTS.