By Leonard COUTIN

On Friday morning, the Division 1 Southern Section prelims were hosted on the Riverside City Golf Course. From last year’s invitational and prelims experiences, the athletes referred to the course as the “dust bowl” lot. In addition to being like a wasteland, the course was full of potholes that runners had to maneuver around in competition.

Despite these challenges, CV’s top contender Colin FitzGerald proved he has the ability to run with the best. Jumping out at the start with the lead runners, FitzGerald moved along the course taking a prime position right up to the finish line where he scored fourth in a time of 15:12.

CV’s Zack Johnson ran a solid three-mile race with teammate Manan Vats close by on the course. Pushing the last mile hard Johnson took the second position for the Falcons placing 16th (15:32.3), while Vats scored 20th (15:34.7). Falcon distance runner Artin Allahverdian lost some ground on the second mile but managed to improve his third mile time to score 35th running 15:56.3.

The CV team suffered a substantial loss when on the second mile Spenser Geck confronted an accident when runners in front of him fell down.

“Spencer was cut off and came down awkwardly on his knee,” said CVHS Head Coach Mark Evans. “The sudden stop jarred his knee and he was not able to continue. He is much better [now]. Luckily it [did] not seem to be a serious injury.” The injury was a disappointment as all season Geck had been making great strides forward in his performance and contributing to the team’s final score.

The much-needed points came from Carter Welch, who ran 58th (16:20).

“Fortunately Carter Walch stepped up and had a great race,” said Evans. “Overall we had a good race. We were right where we wanted to be.”

Neil Logan, who scored 70th (16:32.8), contributed to the team’s success.

The Falcons managed to place third in the overall team ranking in their heat earning a spot in the Nov. 19 SS CIF finals that will once again be on this most difficult course. This year the top 24 teams from each of the heats move forward to the finals.

Coach Evans reminded his team of the need for all five runners to do their best. Having an individual like FitzGerald who can place in the top five positions continues to boost the Falcons forward but the closeness of the next four positions are equally important if the Falcons want to be in the top seven places at the finals to qualify for the CIF State Meet in two weeks.

Also noted in the CIF – State Individual Ranking by Rich Gonzalez of Prep Cal Track through Nov. 15, FitzGerald rated ninth and Burroughs’ Alexander Hirsch 10th in Division 1.

Though the Falcon girls didn’t advance to finals, this was a season of learning strategies and controlled running for them.

“This was a great race for the girls,” said Coach Evans. “They did not move on, but they have improved so much this season. They really developed into a strong team. The girls are so much more confident now than when they started the season. They will only be stronger in track and, with a good summer, this will lead to a great 2017 season.”

Nalia Ortiz ran 55th in a time of 19:54.4, while her teammates positioned themselves very closely in their races. Sophia Atin scored 57th (19:56.8) while sprinter Melissa Owens, who improved her times as well, scored 58th in the three mile (19:58.0). Another much improved runner, Sojeong Kang, who had suffered an early season injury, also contributed greatly to the overall points for the Falcons. She ran 90th (20:43.2). Gabriela Borraez placed 99th (20:55.5) and Jacqueline Bau placed 121st (22:11.2).

The Pacific League finalists that also will be running in the Southern Section Division 1 finals will be the Arcadia boys and girls teams, the Burroughs boys team and individually Burroughs’ Emily Virtue, who took second in her heat.

The Arcadia girls demonstrated so much depth and talent this year that Coach Feraco-Eberle permitted his second team to qualify and rest his first squad at the prelims.

In Division 5, Flintridge Prep boys and girls teams scored well and will be moving forward as will the La Cañada boys and girls teams in Division 4.

  Leonard Coutin