Varsity Girls Cross Country win League Title

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December 3, 2009

Kaylee Miu

The MVAL schools met at Coyote Hills Nov. 12 for a final race, as runners double-knotted their shoe laces and prepared themselves to fight for the the 2009 cross country league title. Washington, James Logan and Mission San Jose dominated this season and all three were determined to secure the title for their own school.

The Washington girls entered MVAL finals with a 5-1 record, losing only to Mission San Jose. However, the girls pulled through to victory with a final score of Washington 41, Mission San Jose 51, and James Logan at 61. Mission San Jose had an undefeated regular season, after a defeat by Washington, both schools share the league title as co-champions. Junior Jessica Gerards led the team, placing first (20:42), with junior Rachel Gerards coming in third (21:05), and junior Maggie Sullivan taking tenth (22:00). All three girls were 2009 First Team All League.
Boys Cross Country entered finals with a 4-2 league record, losing to both Mission San Jose and James Logan. Seeded third in league, the boys held their rank, with Mission San Jose 51, James Logan 52, and Washington 80. Defending champion senior Ben Rich placed second (17:55), with junior Jessie Chestnut following close behind (18:00), losing to junior David Brody of American High School (17:25).
North Coast Sectionals (NCS) at Hayward High Nov. 22 will give the boys team another chance to take lead and face off against Brody.

Varsity boys redeem themselves at NCS

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Last 3 stories in Sports

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November 28, 2009

Kaylee Miu

The warm sun and cool breeze set the stage for perfect running weather in the 2009 Cross Country North Coast Sectional Finals Nov. 21 at Hayward High School. The best 130 varsity boys and 120 varsity girls competed in hopes of hitting top times to secure their ticket to CIF state championships.

After a shaky season, the Washington boys cross country team, defending league champions, finished in third place at the 2009 MVAL’s, behind both Mission San Jose and James Logan. All three schools have become power-houses, fierce in competition. Senior Ben Rich finished the season undefeated but had a shocking loss to American’s David Brody at league. After tough blows at league, the team was fired up and arrived at Hayward High School Saturday morning ready to give it their all with one last chance. The boys finished eighth, tying James Logan at 269 and defeating Mission San Jose’s 277. Top division I school San Ramon Valley dominated with 41. Rich had a solid race, finishing the 3-mile course ninth (15:52), qualifying him for state, and defeating Brody (15:57) by five seconds.

“We did much better at NCS,” senior Anthony Cisneros said. “We made up for our mishap at league finals and reminded everyone we’ve still got a strong program. We’re not the team we used to be, but we definitely showed signs of a promising future.”

Meanwhile the varsity girls team, MVAL league champions, finished seventh in NCS, defeating James Logan, but losing to Mission San Jose. Top runner junior Jessica Gerards placed seventhth(18:40), but was one spot shy of state qualification.

The toughest part of the race was “knowing you had to run the hill twice,” Cisneros said. The ground was moist from the storm the previous day and therefore puddles of mud covered the course. Injuries were minor, however an ambulance and fire truck were called when “one girl collapsed from exhaustion right before the finish line, but managed to get back up under her own power and stumble across the finish line.”

Rich will compete in the CIF Coss Country Championships Nov. 28.