By Leonard COUTIN

This last weekend, October 12 Woodward Park in Fresno was the gathering place for runners from all over California as they attend the 41st Asics Clovis Invitational that is highly rated in competition and allows runners to experience the featured CIF State Cross Country course early. With two months into the season, the Clovis Invitational marks the mid-season as an important part of the pre-season.

     In Race 6 – the Championship Boys 5 K, the Falcon Boys closed their gap as a team.

“Boys were ninth in the championship race.  We weren’t sure coming into the meet where we stood.  While Dylan [Wilbur] did not have his best race we are happy with how our 2, 3, 4, 5 runners ran.  All were within about 8 seconds of each other.  We have run a faster team time but this is certainly one of our top ten performances on the course.  We believe we can run faster.  We are focused on our league meet this week at CV Park,” said CVHS head coach Mark Evans.

Wilbur scored 38th running 15:46.4, compared to his last year’s performance of 15:37 placing 20th.  The success of the team went to teammates, Max Burton running 16:03.9 placing 59th, followed by Erik Faeustle, who ran 16:06.5 placed a valuable 63rd, followed closely by teammate Chris Cubias who placed 64th running 16:06.8. Falcon Rowan FitzGerald scored 98th running 16:25.5 followed by the CV’s 5th man, Bryce Bitetti who completed the course running 16:41.3 placing 120th. 

The final top ten boys teams were: Great Oak 57, Newbury Park 65, Dublin 208, Clovis North 229, Jesuit 258, Agoura 260, Maria Carrillo 267, Dana Hills 301, CV 322 and California Whittier 325.

     The Falcon Girls participated in Race 7 – XL Varsity.  It was CV’s Sophia Atkins return to the team that certainly boosted the girl’s morale. Placing 16th running with a strong time of 19:22.1 followed by teammate Ily Nelson, who has shown great promise, placed a valuable 24th running 19:36.3. Teammates Samantha Moore placed 35th running 19:52.4 followed by Kelly Helton placing 71st with a time of 20:40.9 and CV’s 5th person, Eva Marta, who scored 103rd running 21:29.9.

“The girls were also ninth in their race even though we were missing two of our top seven to previous commitments.  Sophia Atin opened her season with a strong race finishing 16th running in her second fastest time on the course.  Ily Nelson had a very strong race.  One of her best ever running 19:36.  Kelly Helton also running in the varsity race had a big PR of 20:40.  This is one of her best races ever,” Evans said.    

Looking at the next races, Coach Evans added, “We believe we are ready and looking forward to the rest of the races this season.”

Final XL Varsity Score: Oak Ridge 71, La Serna 158, Homestead 178, Sanger 196, Foothill (SS) 201, Amador Valley 211, Lowell 232, Monte Vista 246, CV 249, and Davis 276.

  Leonard Coutin