Girls’ and Boys’ Cross Country Teams Run to the Finish Line
Girls’ Cross Country:
The Lady Blackhawks Girls’ cross country team commenced the 2017 season with attendance at the Fastback Shootout Invitational on Sept. 2. The girls returned in full force to achieve multiple personal records (PR).
Sophomore sensation Akemi Von Scherr returned from a short-lived hiatus, running even faster than her final race at the CIF prelims, placing first overall in the Division I Sophomore 2 Miles, with a PR of 11:09.03.
Competing in the Junior 2 Miles, Francine Ansley and Itzel Chavez, respectively, reached PRs of 12:35.3 and 12:58.0, this placed them the top 15 of the invitational, in their sections.
After a devastating loss at DVL last season, which concluded their three-year streak, the girls came back reinvigorated, with the desire to win the title. “Losing last year was a major blow for the team,” stated Head Coach Amanda Pierson. “We’ve trained harder to be on top again.”
On Sept. 9, the girls competed in the Laguna Hills Invitational in the three-mile races, achieving high placements in their respective categories. Von Scherr placed first in her Division I Soph with a time of 18:01, surpassing her closest competition by over a minute.
Georgina Ansley (9), placed 12th overall with a time of 21:16, while Francine Ansley (11) placed sixth with a time of 20:31 in their respective races.
On Sept. 16, they attended the 37th Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to PR or place in the invitational.
Boys’ Cross Country:
The 2017 season commenced for the boys’ cross country team with attendance at the Fastback Shootout Invitational on Sept. 2. The new and returning talent showed off their strong endurance against the hundreds of other high schoolers.
Seniors Parker Wallace and Anthony Rojas placed in the top twenty of their division with times of 10:46.6 and 10:47.6, respectively.
Promising talent freshman Raen Reyes placed seventh in his first race of Division II Freshman 3 Miles.
The boys began a rocky journey following their initial invitational. Despite their best efforts, the team was unable to place in the Laguna Hills Invitational on Sept. 9.