Cross Country: CA Champions 2011
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Coach: Brian Shapiro
shapirob@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Phone: Ext. 606 |
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CA Champions 2011
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2011 CA Champions!
Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Palos Verdes High School teams traveled north to Fresno for the annual California cross country state championships. Just a week earlier, the Sea Kings pulled off a major victory in winning the CIF titles in cross country for both the boys and girls teams. The girls have won 8 CIF titles and the boys have won 7 CIF titles, but this was the first time in school history that both teams won in the same year.
The championship is normally run in the frigid Fresno air, but it was unusually warm with temperatures topping out in the 70's by the end of the meet. The girls raced first and set the tone for the day. Defending team champions Campolindo High School go out early and were winning the race by the first mile with PVHS in 3rd place. By the 2nd mile, the Sea Kings had moved up to second place and overtook Campolindo in the final mile. The girls team pulled off the upset and won their first state championship since 1989! The girls were led by Rebecca Mehra in 4th place and she was followed by Skylar Thiel, Cassidy Webber, Kylie Butler, Lauren Gagnon, Michelle Kagei, and Sierra Ponthier. Cassidy Webber was the fastest freshman in the race!
After seeing the girls pull out the win, the boys team had an extra boost of confidence. Unlike the girls team, the boys entered as the pre-race favorites but faced a stiff challenge from the improving defending state champions from St. John Bosco. The Sea Kings got out well and led the race wire to wire, winning their 2nd state title in the past three years. The boys were led by Jonah Diaz's 2nd place finish and he was followed by Ryland Dreibelbis, Justin Unno, Alec Dunton, Daniel Rieger, Tomas Snur, and Mark Sidor.
Palos Verdes High School became only the 5th school in California history to win the boys and girls team championship in the same year. Rebecca Mehra and Jonah Diaz each earned a coveted invitation to compete next weekend in Portland, Oregon at the Nike Cross Nationals meet.
Go Sea Kings! |
