By Leonard COUTIN

CVHS cross-country girls boosted their spirits as they toughed it out in the Pacific League meet No. 2 three-mile run at Crescenta Valley Park on Thursday.

With temperatures approaching 100 degrees, Coach Mark Evans postponed the meet for 45 minutes to allow the afternoon to cool down.

The Arcadia Apaches were at a double disadvantage, coming to the field absent of their lead runner and CV being on its home course. CV won 25 to 33 over the Arcadia Apaches that is now tied for wins after their loss at the Griffith Park league number one meet.

From the start, the Falcons clustered together and crossed the first mile with a significant advantage over the pack.

Lead CV Falcon runner was Ali Johnson who stepped up the pace to finish second with a time of 19:21.37 behind Apache Veronica Yamane 18:58.83. Apache Alejandra Quintero placed third with 19:27.09 while CV senior Brooke Moultrie took fourth 19:30.05 and Erika Johnson grabbed fifth 19:34.33. Junior Cali King surprised her teammates coming from behind taking sixth, 19:35.67. Ruby Hannah placed ninth, 19:54.27 and Megan Melnyk took tenth, 20:11.94.

League finals meet on Nov. 3 at Arcadia Park and will determine the league championship. Arcadia girls are ranked fifth while CV is ranked sixth in Division 1.

“The girls are running better with each race,” said Evans. “Arcadia is a very good team but we felt we had a good chance with a solid effort.  We had a solid effort from the team.”

The top boys varsity was no surprise – it was won by powerhouse team from Arcadia and is rated Division 1, number one team.

Lead Apache senior Sergio Gonzalez (15:34.77) led the course against Burroughs lead man Anthony Monroy (15:43.55) who placed second.      Sophomore Isaiah Amos of Burbank placed third (15:55.27).

Falcon lead man Mike Duncan ran ninth (16:15.49).

Evans measured each win as a plus.

“The Arcadia boys team is an excellent team,” he said. “Right now our focus with the boys is on Burbank and Burroughs. We beat Burroughs and ran better against Burbank. The boys are coming together as a team and racing better each time out.

I am excited about where we will be at the end of the season. Both teams have a chance to be very successful in the championship races.”

It ended with Arcadia over CV, 16 to 43 with Burbank taking second, 21 to 34. CV boys placed third over Burroughs, Hoover, Glendale and Muir.

  Leonard Coutin