By Leonard COUTIN

Woodward Park, just outside the heart of Fresno, was the site for the 28th annual CIF state cross-country championships. Ten top races were seeded, ranging from Division 1 to 5 in both boys and girls races. Favorites were challenged individually and the validity of pre ranked team outcome scores was tested.

Division 1

Not surprising, Division 1 favorite Phillip Rocha from Arcadia took a commanding lead in the last loop of the course to win with an impressive time of 14:58 (the best time of the day on the course). The outstanding Great Oak team, both boys and girls, achieved winning marks to record a team victory in both races. The Pacific League boys’ best team – John Burroughs – scored an impressive fourth place title. Junior Fiona O’Keeffe from the Sac-Joaquin section of Davis took the win in the girls’ individual competition – nothing new as she won last year’s championship title – with a time of 16:57. Pacific League’s Candela Fernandez of Burbank captured a fourth (17:42) individual record win.

Division 5

The Flintridge Prep boys and girls teams proved that they were contenders for the championship titles. Junior Jack Van Scoter scored second place running 15:32 to lead his team to a third place title. The boys’ team was comprised of Van Scoter (15:32
), Jonathan Vahala (23rd running 16:39), Evan Patinelli (25th running 16:41), Rab Moran (26th running 16:47
), Riley Coan (34th running 16:58
), Sham Patel (47th running 17:14), and Chris Tan (71st running 17:39).

The Flintridge girls won first place championship title led by Maria Cohen (19:15). The team scored a low 58-point team wins. Team winners were Maria Cohen (8th running 19:15), Natalie O’Brien (9th running 19:16), Ashley Lara (10th running 19:28), Lacy Coan (11th running 19:29), Gabi Bennett (20th running 19:43), Marissa Langley (67th running 21:20) and Isabella Williams (98th running 22:31).

For a breakdown by division and team, visit www.cvweekly.com/SPORTS.

2014 Team and Individual Winners by Division

Division I Boys

Team: Great Oak (101, 78:48)

Individual: Phillip Rocha, Jr., Arcadia (14:58)

Division II Boys

Team: Ventura (70, 77:43)

Individual: Brian Zabilski, Sr., Saugus (15:07)

Division III Boys

Team: Brea Olinda (75, 78:13)

Individual: Austin Tamagno, Jr., Brea Olinda (15:09)

Division IV Boys

Team: Bishop Amat (83, 80:41)

Individual: Caleb Webb, Sr., Big Bear (15:05)

Division V Boys

Team: Xavier Prep (87, 82:23)

Individual: Trevor Reinhart, Sr., Marin Academy (14:59)

Division I Girls

Team: Great Oak (45, 91:10)

Individual: Fiona O’Keeffe, Jr., Davis (16:57)

Division II Girls

Team: Saugus (62, 92:15)

Individual: Amber Gore, Sr., Redondo Union (17:22)

Division III Girls

Team: Palos Verdes (85, 93:51)

Individual: Chloe Hansel, Jr., Las Lomas (17:35)

Division IV Girls

Team: Central Valley Christian (73, 97:23)

Individual: Caroline Pietrzyk, Sr., Malibu (17:35)

Division V Girls

Team: Flintridge Prep (58, 97:11)

Individual: Rylee Bowen, Fr. Sonoma Acad

  Leonard Coutin