Atin, Wilbur and Vats Celebrate Accomplishments at Meet

By Leonard COUTIN

The Falcon boys celebrated a significant team win scoring a low of 36 at the second Pacific League conference cross-country meet held on Thursday at Arcadia Park.

With one win already under their belts, the CV team members set their sights on another victory and the hope of becoming conference champions on Nov. 1 at a competition held on CV’s home course.

Arcadia’s course is traditionally fast and consists of three loops around the flat park. Starting off strong was CV’s duo of junior Dylan Wilbur and senior Manan Vats. The pair set the pace, running side-by-side throughout the course, and was able to stretch their lead. Wilbur ran a solid time of 14:46.6 to take first place with teammate Vats following, placing second with a time of 14:52.9. Burroughs senior Raymond Berrellez captured third (14.54.6), Glendale senior Arvin Sales followed (14:56.0) and Burbank sophomore Andres Leon (15:00.2) took fifth.

Arcadia lead runners took the next four positions: sophomore Tianyuan Pei, sixth, (15:02.6), junior Jacob Hsu (15:07.1), senior Jack Tuan (15:09.6) and senior Alec Fernandez (15:10.9).

The Falcons took the next three positions: senior Grant Lauterback in 10^th (15:13.0), junior Erik Faeustle (15:14.8), and senior Evan Doloszychi (15:25.6). Rounding out CV’s placement was senior Ameer Mohammed in 18^th (15:41.6) and sophomore Jack Myers took 25^th (16:13.3).

Varsity boys team final score: CV 36, Arcadia 45, Burbank 77, Burroughs 97, Glendale 104, Pasadena 176, and Hoover 193

The varsity girls’ race proved to be one of the most exciting of this season for Falcon junior Sophia Atin and Apache senior Joyce Wu, who battled throughout the three-mile course. At Pacific conference meet No. 1 that was held at CV Park, Atin carried the lead of the race until Wu overtook her on the final loop to claim victory after she sprinted to the finish line.

On the Apache course, Atin’s strategy was to separate herself from Wu early on, before the last loop, as she was reminded of Wu’s strong finish earlier. It was on the second loop that Atin attacked the course, creating a significant distance between herself and Wu. It was a very bold and impressive move by Atin. Apache Wu already had the home court advantage; she knew the course well enough and decreased Atin’s lead as they approached the final loop.

Running side-by-side, Wu used her strong sprint to capture the win running a time of 17:39.1, while Falcon Atin finished second running 17:42.7.

Burbank’s strong team captured key positions to take the team win. Senior Shalom Mejia took third (18:05.0) followed by teammate junior Sol Fernandez (18:12.3). Falcon Samantha Moore took fifth (18:14.9), breaking up the rival team’s position. It must be noted that Moore has stepped up to be a vital force for the Falcons.

Burroughs freshman Sophia Navarro placed sixth (18:19.6) followed by Burbank sophomore Mckynzee Kelly (18:33.8). Teammates senior Jamie Levin took 9^th (18:35.9), senior Lydia Forsyth, 13th (18:45.5), sophomore Megan LaCamera 15^th (18:58.2) and senior Natalie Danao 17^th (19:01.9).

CV senior Gabby Borraez has also developed into a key runner for the Falcons, managing to improve her times at each meet. She scored 10^th running 18:41.0, with her teammates junior Ily Nelson, placing 19^th, (19:17.5), freshman Reese Sion, 24^th, (19:35.5), junior Sarah Benitez, 25^th, (19:49.1) and Tali Sherwood-Kong in 29th (20:05.9).

Varsity girls final team score: Burbank 36, Burroughs 59, CV 60, Arcadia 69, Hoover 168, Glendale 169, and Pasadena 193

The CV JV boys’ race had a successful afternoon as they scored the lowest team points. Falcon senior Ethan Sharp won with a time of 16:15.6, Teammates junior Christian Nunez Jr. placed fourth (16:35.2), senior Kevin Tasci followed in fifth (16:44.9), Ravi Riley took seventh (16:48.7), Morgan Faunce, 11^th, (17:10.2), junior Aaron Marshall, 22^nd,(17.58.1), junior Josh Kibier 24^th, (18:02.4), Noah Ataya, 31^st, (18: 24.9), Laim Sofias, 33^rd, (18:34.1), senior Su Yong Lee, 36^th, (18:40.2) and junior Andrew Kazangian, 37^th, (18:41.6).

JV boys final team score: CV 28, Burbank 39, Arcadia 82, Burroughs 90 and Glendale 115

The CV JV girls took second in the team standings. Both Burroughs and Glendale did not have a complete team to compete. CV senior Rachel Hart again was first across the finish line for the Falcons to place fourth (20:36.5). Teammates senior Sojeong Kang took sixth, senior Persiyana Petrova, seventh, (21:26.2), junior Eva Marta, eighth, (21:27.5), junior Michelle Longfax, 10^th, (21:59.2) and junior Sarah Viray, 13^th, (23:53.0).

JV girls final team score: Burbank 20, CV 35, and Arcadia 85

The CV frosh/soph boys placed second in the team standings. Sophomore Chris Cubias took third running 15:56.6, then teammate sophomore Max Burton in sixth (16:05.5), Nolan Brown, seventh, (16:14.0), soph Jace Milford, eighth, (16:26.2) frosh Rowan FitzGerald, ninth, (16:29.1) and frosh Bryce Bitetti 11^th (16:35.8).

Frosh/soph boys final team standings: Burroughs 32, CV 33, Arcadia 65, Burbank 120, Glendale 157, and Pasadena 177

The frosh/soph girls placed fourth in the team standing. Freshman Eden Haack placed ninth (21:10.4), soph Kelly Helton, 13^th, (20:36.2), soph Valeria Borraez, 20^th, (21:23.4), frosh Rebecca Doherty, 21^st, (21:24.2) and Sinead Aguilar, 25^th, (21:51.8).

Frosh/soph girls finals team standings: Burbank 21, Arcadia 53, Burroughs 69, CV 88, and Hoover 155

Running side-by-side, Wu used her strong sprint to capture the win running a time of 17:39.1, while Falcon Atin finished second running 17:42.7.

Burroughs freshman Sophia Navarro placed sixth (18:19.6) followed by Burbank sophomore Mckynzee Kelly (18:33.8). Teammates senior Jamie Levin took 9th (18:35.9), senior Lydia Forsyth, 13th (18:45.5), sophomore Megan LaCamera 15th (18:58.2) and senior Natalie Danao 17th (19:01.9).

CV senior Gabby Borraez has also developed into a key runner for the Falcons, managing to improve her times at each meet. She scored 10th running 18:41.0, with her teammates junior Ily Nelson, placing 19th, (19:17.5), freshman Reese Sion, 24th, (19:35.5), junior Sarah Benitez, 25th, (19:49.1) and Tali Sherwood-Kong in 29th (20:05.9).

Varsity girls final team score: Burbank 36, Burroughs 59, CV 60, Arcadia 69, Hoover 168, Glendale 169, and Pasadena 193

To read more and see more of Leonard Coutin’s photos, visit www.cvweekly.com/SPORTS.