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It was hot and dry, even under the oaks, at Crescenta Valley Park for Rio Hondo League Meet 1. South Pasadena’s depth was prominently on display, as they took team titles by wide margins in each boys race and second in the two girls races. La Canada continues their League dominance in the girls races, and looks well positioned to defend their Varsity league title.
The JV Boys kicked off the 2015 league season. South Pasadena’s William Walker won the race in 19:01, followed by 4 teammates within a 47 second spread -- giving South Pas a perfect 15 team score (they placed 8 runners in the top 15.) Temple City took second with 58 points.
In the JV Girls race, La Canada’s Jenny Callan and South Pasadena’s Fiona Bock dueled it out throughout the race, with Callan pulling away with 200 meters left to win in 21:53. Both made a case to their coaches for spots on varsity, placing in the top 7 for their respective schools. La Canada won the team title with 30 points and 5 runners in the top 15.
South Pasadena’s Kieran Press-Reynolds and Temple City’s Alex Ortega battled for the first two miles in the Boys Varsity race, with Press-Reynolds taking charge in the third mile to win in 16:27. South Pasadena won the team title with 34 points, placing 5 runners in the top 11 and having a spread of 1:34. South Pas seems well positioned for a League title, but the race for second and third looks to be tight given the 5 points between second place San Marino and third La Canada -- and with Temple City within striking distance.
La Canada’s Katie Scoville dominated the Varsity Girls race from the start -- eventually winning by over a minute. La Canada easily took the team title with 27 points. There were packs of 3-4 girls at several finishing times in the top 20, and team second and third place in League may come down to where runners from South Pas and San Marino finish in these groups.
In the last race of the day, David Seo of South Pasadena won in 18:32. His fellow South Pas frosh-soph boys took 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 8th to win the team title with a close to perfect 19 points. There were 64 athletes in the race, which is a nice sign for continued interest and future competition in Rio Hondo cross country.
Many thanks to Crescenta Valley High coach Mark Evans for his help, and for San Marino’s coach Angus Leung for organizing the meet and setting the course on late notice (it was his first time running a meet).
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