Cross-Country Runner De La Cerda Will Not Attend CSUN

Peter De La Cerda, a former distance runner at Granada Hills High, will not attend Cal State Northridge this fall even though he signed a letter of intent with the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. school during the summer.

Bob Augello, the Matadors’ assistant cross-country coach, said the runner would not attend Northridge and that he did not know if De La Cerda, who is ineligible under NCAA Proposition 48, was going to attend another school.

The move by De La Cerda, who could not be reached for comment, is the lastest in a series by the well-traveled runner.

After attending Alemany as a freshman and sophomore, De La Cerda transferred to Hart during his junior year at the urging of his father Phil, but he transferred back to Alemany for his senior season.

De La Cerda placed fifth in last year’s Southern Section 3-A Division cross-country championships for the Indians but later was disqualified because his father used a megaphone to cheer him on during the race, a violation of CIF rules.

De La Cerda transferred to Granada Hills during the track season and ran a personal best of 9 minutes, 20.88 seconds in the 3,200 meters to place fourth in the City Section championships at Birmingham High in May.