By Leonard COUTIN

As the blistering heat hit the Santa Clarita Valley on Sept. 8, the CV Falcons entered its first preseason cross-country meet at Central Park.

Golden Valley, Newbury Park and Camarillo brought their varsity, JVs and freshman runners to battle it out. After a strong summer program, both locally and in Mammoth, the Falcons faced rival Golden Valley.

CV senior Mike Duncan managed to retain seventh position while teammate Gabe Collison took 11th, Aaron Esparza came in 13th, Brandon Baum 14th, Nick Betty 15th and Dylan Devens took 16th.

Golden Valley grabbed the top four positions along with sixth, eighth and 10th positions. Camarillo took a fifth and Newbury top runner took ninth.

“I am very pleased with how we ran. The kids put in a great summer of training and it really showed in that first meet. I believe this can be a really good team,” said Coach Mark Evans. “We still have a few question marks but overall those will be answered in the next few races.”

The final boys varsity score was Golden Valley 16, CV 60, Newbury Park 84, and Camarillo 84. Newbury Park beat Camarillo on the sixth runner rule.

The Falcon girls proved they were a force to be reckoned with. Led by junior Cali King who took third place, teammates Ali Johnson and Brooke Moultrie, both seniors, ran the entire race together placing fourth and fifth with Hanah Ruby placing seventh.

The course offered little shade for the runners.

“Weather was tough on everyone. It was a good move to shorten the lower division and girls varsity races,” said Evans. “Most everyone handled the heat well. We stressed hydration and if anyone did not feel well or did not feel comfortable racing then it was better not to race. The kids came through very well and had a good race.”

Golden Valley’s Chelsey Totten won first, with Abby Buckhoff taking second. Newbury Samantha Cox took sixth.  Camarillo Rachel Naumann placed eighth. Final girls varsity scores CV 41, Newbury Park 50, Golden Valley 56, and Camarillo 71.

  Leonard Coutin