Assoc. Opinion Editor
Photos by Hana Tyszka
South Pasadena JV cross country competed at the Apache Invitational Friday, October 30th, in Arcadia County Park. The entirely flat course made the run significantly easier than the team’s most recent endeavour at Mt. San Antonio College, but the longer 5K (3.1 miles) course yielded slower times than the usual three mile races the Tigers participate in. The absence of the varsity team allowed for a select few JV runners to compete in varsity races.
In the boys’ division, sophomore Jacob Wielenga led participants in the varsity race at 17:41 and finished at 16th place out of 142 runners. He was tailed closely by senior Amador Lagunas, (38th,17:41) and sophomore Armando Sibrian (39th, 17:43), who crossed the finish line in succession. Junior Wayne Monical (55th, 18:02) and freshman Nicolo Porcu (69th, 18:12) took the remaining two scoring positions, placing the Tigers at 7th place out of the 18 teams. Seniors and juniors not competing at the varsity level were led by senior Raymond Gilmartin with an impressive 6th place out of 258 runners and a time of 17:05. Juniors Owen Keith (120th, 19:34), Colin Schwantner (121st, 19:36), Griffin Yamada (122, 19:36), and Randy Zhou (154th, 20:22) comprised the remainder of JV scoring runners, placing the team in 16th out of 21 teams.
The underclassmen boys competing in the Frosh-Soph division, earned a tight sixth out of 12 teams behind La Salle High School and were lead by freshman Michael Xiong (16th,18:59). Sophomores Jay Ebata (30th, 19:40.2), Preston Wun-young (31st, 19:40.6), Samuel Ng (35th, 19:46), and Miles Mendoza (42nd, 20:10) followed Xiong – all placing in the top 50 of their race of 133 runners.
A lack of runners, due to injury and illness, left the girls’ Frosh/Soph squad with only three eligible athletes, and the JV race completely empty. Those that participated in the varsity race of 128 runners were led by sophomore Caroline Liu and senior Fiona Bock, who crossed the finish line together in 17th place and 18th place, respectively, both with a time of 20:38. Freshman Maylis Westel (32nd, 21:06), freshman Carmella Shaffer (71st, 22:24), and senior Maia Thomas (90th, 23:34) secured the remaining three scoring slots, placing the team at 7th out of the 16 competing teams.
“With all the PR’s and medals I couldn’t help but feel proud,” said captain Lagunas. “Time and time again the team continues to surpass my expectations and run incredibly well.”
The entire cross country team will face rivals La Cañada and San Marino in Rio Hondo league finals, Thursday November 5th, at the reopened Lacy Park in San Marino.
