Dameworth’s 3rd State Title a Cinch

He used a tremendous finishing sprint to win the inaugural state Division I cross-country championship in 1987.

Last year, he fended off Thousand Oaks High’s Mike Williamson and Jimmy Rodriguez of Santa Ana Valley in a thrilling stretch duel for a second Division I title.

On Saturday, though, things were different for Agoura’s Bryan Dameworth.

There was no last-second surge toward the finish line. No rival runner breathing down his neck. And there certainly was no doubt that the soloist was on a Division I record pace en route to his third consecutive state title.

Dameworth toured the 5,000-meter (3.1-mile) course at Woodward Park in Fresno in a personal-best 14 minutes, 45 seconds. He also lowered his previous Division I mark of 15:03, which he set in last year’s state championship. His previous best on the Woodward Park course was a 14:58 clocking in the 1988 Kinney West regional.

Dameworth’s closest competition Saturday was Arroyo Grande junior Louie Quintana, who finished second in 14:59. Dameworth built a 100-meter lead over Quintana in the final three-quarters of a mile after the two runners passed two miles in 9:32.

“I really expected Quintana to be there (in the end),” said Dameworth, who said that he felt sluggish during the race because of a cold.

Dameworth might have entered the race carrying the expectations that accompany a two-time state champion, but an undefeated season and clutch performances in the major races this fall have bolstered his confidence.

That confidence primarily stemmed from the 2-A Division championships Nov. 18 when Dameworth clocked 14:36 on the challenging Mt. San Antonio College course to win the individual title. Only Burbank’s Jeff Nelson, who ran 14:32 in 1978, has run faster. “I guess I impressed myself,” Dameworth said. “I didn’t think I’d run that fast.”

Dameworth might have been surprised with his mark in the 2-A final, but Agoura Coach Bill Duley, who is also Dameworth’s stepfather, wasn’t taken aback with his protege’s performance Saturday.

“I figured he’d be down in that range because he’s been pretty consistent all year long,” he said.

Even though Dameworth has won three state titles in cross-country, he has yet to claim one on the track. He finished seventh in the 3,200-meter final in the state track and field championships as a freshman and was second last year in a personal-best 9:00.27.

“I’d definitely like to win one in track,” he said. “I’ll take them both (the 1,600 and 3,200) pretty seriously. Maybe I’ll run in both.”

Dameworth prefers the Woodward Park course, but he still has some unfinished business there. He placed second in the Kinney West regional last year and said that he would like to move up a notch this season. Nothing would please him more than an undefeated season.

“I’d love to win (the Kinney National title) and finish the season totally undefeated,” he said. “I’m not going to take it lightly because I’m not sure what other people can do.”