Local teams make statement at meet

It was a strange site at the first Foothill League cross-country meet

of the season.

There were no Canyon High runners among the top finishers in the

boys’ varsity race Thursday at Griffith Park.

For almost a decade, the Cowboys have dominated their league foes

and the team hasn’t failed to win a meet since the 1997 league finals

when Burbank and Hart shared the title.

However, in this year’s opening meet, the Cowboys -- whose best

runner, Adam McDonald, moved to Utah -- finished a distant fourth.

Although Hart won the event, 7-0, in dual-meet scoring, Burroughs

(6-1) had a strong second-place finish and a young Burbank (5-2)

squad placed third.

“I was happy with he way we ran today,” Burroughs Coach John

Peebles said. “The team was able to do well and come back after

running in two meets last week.

“We’re happy right now, but we’re not content.”

The Bulldogs were able to crack the top three despite having a

team that is primarily sophomores.

“We were hoping to finish among the top three [Thursday],” Burbank

boys’ Coach Trevor Marca said.

“We are young, but we aren’t just looking toward the future. We

want to compete this season and make it to CIF. That’s our goal.”

Hart’s Alfredo Coronado won the race, navigating the hilly

three-mile course in 17 minutes 2 seconds.

The area’s top finisher came from Burroughs, as Adrian Harrison

placed third in 17:13. He was followed by teammates Morgan Walker

(sixth; 17:25), Alex Sandoval (10th; 17:45), Vernon Roque (19th;

18:02), Chris Jackson (31st; 18:44) and Benji Baker (32nd; 18:47).

The Bulldogs thrived mainly because of a tight finishing pack, as

Matt Cary (17:47), Wyatt Kessler (17:51), Aksal Kirakosyan (17:51)

and Ryan Williams (17:52) placed 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th,

respectively. They were followed by Forest Goodbar (23rd; 18:20),

Gevorg Kazaryan (28th; 18:30) and Andrew Harris (37th; 19:15).

Canyon’s top runner was Stephen Kent, who placed seventh in 17:26.

Burroughs also received encouraging news with the boys’

freshmen-sophomore results. With mainly freshmen and sophomore

runners, the Indians (7-0) won their race.

Freshman Dustin Blankenship(18:47) placed fourth and sophomore

Juan Mendoza (18:50) was fifth. Burbank’s Walter Rivas won the race

in 18:17.

In the girls’ varsity race, Canyon (5-0) remained strong, placing

first in front of Saugus (4-1), Burroughs (3-2), Burbank (2-3), Hart

(1-4) and Valencia (0-5).

The race was won by Canyon’s junior sensation, Shannon Murakami,

who crossed the finish line in leisurely fashion to clock an 18:49.

“I like this course,” Murakami said. “It’s not that bad.”

The best local finisher was Burroughs’ Michelle Martinez, who

placed fifth in 20:11. She was followed by teammates Sadee Martinez

(10th; 21:02), Brenda Santana (18th; 22:14), Lilyana Morejon (22nd;

22:43), Audrey Akcasu (32nd; 24:04) and Kerry Hodgins (33rd; 24:06).

The Burbank finishers were Natasha Christoffersen (15th; 20:42),

Michelle Horgan (17th; 20:53), Nelly Shamirian (21st; 22:23), Agnes

Kirakosyan (26th; 23:03), Kiran Jolly (23:26) and Rasa Reynolds

(36th; 25:12).