Buchanan girls are champs again after latest stellar team effort at state cross country meet
Even with a teammate falling near the finish line, the Buchanan High girls cross country team pulled through.
The Bears captured their third CIF State Cross Country Division I state title by totaling 51 points, ahead of runner-up Newbury Park with 71, on the 5,000-meter course Saturday at Fresno’s Woodward Park.
“We came to run and we knew it was going to be a really competitive race,” Buchanan coach Brian Weaver said. “The girls have been looking really good. They knew what they needed to do to finish strong and they came out on top.”
Buchanan was led by junior Sydney Sundgren, who finished third overall with a time of 17:30.4.
Anna McNatt of McClatchy won the race with a time of 17:07.5.
But it was the Bears who were able to share the biggest hugs with one another in celebration of their latest team championship. And they appear poised to add another one possibly as soon as next season.
It is a relatively young team, with just one senior. The others are three juniors, two freshmen and a sophomore.
One of those freshman, Elliana Lomeli, was another top-10 overall finisher for Buchanan, placing eighth in 17:54.0.
She kept a close eye on teammates Sundgren and Grace Hutchison just ahead of her throughout the race and especially toward the last 400 yards before Hutchison collapsed on the course.
Lomeli said her instincts were to stop and help, but knew she would run the risk of disqualifying Hutchison and potentially losing points for the Bears.
Hutchison eventually finished the race to provide further inspiration for the Bears.
“I’m super proud of her for just pushing through,” Lomeli said. “I know it was super hard for her, but I think she left it all out there, like literally, and I’m happy how she did for her whole teammates and being able to see her at the end. I’m really proud of her holding her own up there and pushing through the whole time.”
Sundgren said the battle with Newbury Park was exciting, but focusing on their own performances was what prepared them for the state meet.
She is no stranger to a state title after being part of the 2019 state champions, for whom she finished sixth with a time of 17:46. (Last year’s state meet was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.)
This time, Sundgren improved her place and time.
“I knew that I didn’t want to go out too hard,” she said. “I just wanted to stay in a conservative pace and run my race. I didn’t want to worry about anyone else
“Picked it up and said, this is the state meet and I just got to go and give it my all.”
Buchanan’s other team championship was in 1994.
D-I boys: Clovis runner has strong showing
If there is one thing in particular that Clovis’ Christopher Caudillo has learned from the state meet, it’s to start fast.
Caudillo wound up with a top-10 finish, placing sixth (14:59.2) in Division I boys. The individual winner was Colin Sahlman of Newbury Park with a time of 14:26.5.
“If you hold yourself back and wait, then the race is already over for you,” Caudillo said. ”When you’re racing with some of the best in the nation, you learn that holding back makes you lose and you basically have to say just ignore the pain and go out and you can’t hold yourself back.”
Caudllo will get another shot next season as a senior.
Speaking of Newbury Park
The 34th edition of the state cross country championships was highlighted with meet records set by Newbury Park, which posted a best course time of 73:23 and team score of 16.
Sahlman, a senior, led the Panthers with an all-time best D-I boys time and second-best all-time male course mark. Newbury Park swept the top four placings, with their other scoring runner scoring six points while finishing seventh.
Other top 10 showings from the Fresno area
Sanger’s girls team was among the best in D-II, placing ninth with 234 points.
Ashlyn Leath of Clovis North finished 10th in D-I with a time of 18:00.9.
David DeLoera of Sanger came in 10th (15:38.0) in D-II boys.
More shuffling on all-time meet leaderborard
Mira Costa senior Dalia Frias won the girls Division II title with a second-best all-time divisional finish of 16:52.
Albany senior Spohi Nordenholz claimed the girls D-IV title with a third-best all-time divisional time of 16:46.
Francis Parker senior Kenan Pala ran an all-time best boys D-V time of 14:51.
State championship results
Boys
Division I
Teams: 1. Newbury Park 16, 2. Great Oak 119, 3. Loyola 143, 4. San Clemente 175; 5. Jesuit 202, 6. Clovis North 207. 7. Crescenta Valley 231, 8. Dublin 271, 9. Vista Murrieta 273, 10. Davis 284. Also: 15. Clovis West 341.
Individuals: 1. Colin Sahlman, Newbury Park, 14:26.5; 2. Leo Young, Newbury Park, 14:28.0; 3. Lex Young, Newbury Park, 14:30.3; 4. Aaron Sahlman, Newbury Park, 14:46.4; 5. Zachary Ayers, Davis, 14:55.6; 6. Christopher Caudillo, Clovis, 14:59.2; 7. Daniel Appleford, Newbury Park, 15:11.5; 8. Aidan Dimick, Carlmont, 15:14.7; 9. Hector Martinez, Newbury Park, 15:15.1; 10. Braden King, Jesuit, 15:15.7. Also: 14. Nathaniel Avila, Clovis, 15:31.4; 25. Andrew Cape, Clovis North, 15:38.0; 37. Dylan Devine, Madera South, 15:49.6; 49. Brayden Blodgett, Clovis North, 15:57.2; 53. Mathew Oaks, Clovis North, 16:02.7; 54. Brenton Maddox, Buchanan, 16:02.8; 58. Sam Dresick, Clovis West, 16:05.7; 59. Carter Spradling, Clovis East, 16:06.7; 62. Alejandro Gutierrez, Madera South, 16:08.0; 64. Nathaniel Nodal, Clovis West, 16:09.7; 68. Spencer Mueller, Clovis North, 16:11.9; 75. Benjamin Reyes, Clovis West, 16:16.0; 86. Adrian Hipolito, Madera South, 16:22.9; 105. Estevan Medina, Madera South, 16:33.4; 113. Zachary Holmes, Clovis North, 16:38.6; 119. Isaac Chavez, Madera South, 16:41.9; 121. Ulysses Vega, Madera South, 16:42.9; 134. Nico Palavicini, Clovis West, 16:52.7; 142. Kaleb Chapa, Clovis West, 17:00.5; 146. Dominic Bien, Clovis North, 17:01.9; 163. Collin Galaviz, Clovis West, 17:31.3; 169. Vidal Luna, Madera South, 17:54.8.
Division II
Teams: 1. San Luis Obispo 105, 2. Granada 112, 3. Mira Costa 125, 4. Ayala 176, 5. Vacaville 177, 6. Claremont 183, 7. Dana Hills 189., 8. Ventura 243, 9. Grossmont 254, 10. Monte Vista 268. Also: 12. Sanger 301.
Individuals: 1. Jai Dawson, Dana Hills, 15:19.1; 2. Roland Ruckman-Barnes, Granada, 15:22.9; 3. Chris Coles, Claremont, 15:23.2; 4. Tommy Rogers, Junipero Serra, 15:28.5; 5. Oscar Gomez, De La Salle, 15:30.5; 6. Alex Lamoureux, College Park, 15:35.1; 7. Ian ROsen, Grossmont, 15:37.2; 8. Atticus Hall, Thousand Oaks, 15:37.6; 9. Jonah Bazerkanian, Royal, 15:37.9; 10. David DeLoera, Sanger, 15:38.0. Also: 53. Myles Nicacio, Sanger, 16:14.9; 63. Emanuel Salas, Sanger, 16:22.3; 70. Paul Quintanilla, Corcoran, 16:26.1; 114. Daniel Galvez, Sanger, 16:52.7; 137. Emmanuel Vaca, Sanger, 17:09.3; 144. Ian Queenan, Monache, 17:14.8; 162. Jonathan Marcial, Sanger, 17:48.8; 172. Jared Borders, Sanger, 18:04.7.
Division III
Teams: 1. West Torrance 57, 2. Campolindo 70, 3. Maria Carrillo 174, 4. Oakdale 204, 5. St. John Bosco 212, 6. Santa Margarita 235, 7. Brea Olinda 250, 8. Newark Memorial 252, 9. Aguora 253, 10. Capistrano Valley 275. Also: 12. Tulare Western 325, 23. Central 565.
Individuals: 1. Caden Carney, Tamalpais, 15:04.6; 2. Conor Gibson, West Torrance, 15:12.9; 3. Isaiah Givens, Pasadena, 15:15.3; 4. Jared Steins, Servite, 15:15.5; 5. Christopher Chavez, St. John Bosco, 15:16.1; 6. Ethan Godsey, Agoura, 15:16.7; 7. Luke Stefanou, Palos Verdes, 15:23.8; 8. Mario Giannini, Chico, 15:24.9; 9. Will Kirk, Palos Verdes, 15:28.4; 10. Rhys Pullen, Campolindo, 15:32.9. Also: 35. Guillermo Lopez, Central, 16:02.1; 40. Carter Mendes, Tulare Western, 16:07.0; 75. Tyler Speir, Fresno, 16:35.4; 77. Joseph Flores, Tulare Western, 16:36.1; 85. Joshua Alcala-Ceballos, Tulare Western, 16:41.1; 102. Diego Gonzalez, Sunnyside, 16:53.9; 104. Ben Borchers, Edison, 16:54.9; 114. Santiago Basurto, Tulare Western, 17:02.1; 126. Ellan Villagran, Tulare Western, 17:14.2; 129. David Sanchez, Tulare Western, 17:16.9; 143. Alazar Teffra, Central, 17:27.5; 152. Eric Rivas, Central, 17:37.9; 170. Erik Delgado, Tulare Western, 17:51.3; 176. Branden Romero, Central, 18:00.3; 193. Aaron Teffra, Central, 18:34.2; 204. Eian Stevenson, Central, 19:44.5; Damian Pham, Central, 20:04.1.
Division IV
Teams: 1. Albany 130, 2. Archie Williams 152, 3. Scotts Valley 160, 4. Cathedral 185, 5. Harvard Westlake 197, 6. Laguna Hills 224, 7. Menlo School 242, 8. Sage Creek 253, 9. El Dorado 264, 10. Big Bear 267. Also: 14. Yosemite 316, 18. Matilda Torres 377.
Individuals: 1. Max Sannes, Big Bear, 15:00.5; 2. Bryce Gilmore, Sage Creek, 15:08.6; 3. Sean Morello, Albany, 15:09.9; 4. Adin Dibble, Sonora, 15:24.3; 5. Nathan Osborn, High Tech, 15:30.9; 6. Will Sheehy, Harvard Westlake, 15:32.0; 7. Daniel Winter, St. Mary’s, 15:33.4; 8. Broen Holman, SOnora, 15:34.2; 9. Ryder Brabo, Scotts Valley, 15:35.4; 10. Emmanuel Perez, Cathedral, 15:36.6. Also: 47. Jack Olney, Yosemite, 16:25.1; 53. Ben Olney, Yosemite, 16:29.8; 70. Ozzy Hernandez, Matilda Torres, 16:42.8; 73. Esaud Vargas, Matilda Torres, 16:45.2; 80. Ford Stegge, Yosemite, 16:51.2; 102. Noah Flex Andrade, Matilda Torres, 17:06.9; 117. Dominic Welsh, Porterville, 17:21.2; 123. Buffalo Soito, Matilda Torres, Matilda Torres, 17:27.0; 124. Turner Williams, Yosemite, 17:28.2; 129. Sebastian Rosales-Valdez, Yosemite, 17:32.2; 132. Noah Graffigna, Yosemite, 17:38.6; 140. Omar Jayme, Matilda Torres, 17:44.0; 145. Ricardo Silva, Matilda Torres, 17:48.9; 146. Miguel Ramirez, Matilda Torres, 17:49.5; 179. Justin Beaumont, Yosemite, 18:44.7;
Division V
Teams: 1. Lick Wilmerding 79, 2. Sante Fe Christian 107, 3. Crystal Springs Upland 148, 4. Francis Parker 150, 5. Providence Burbank 160, 6. SF University 189, 7. The Nueva School 192, 8. St. Margarets 224, 9. Windward 239, 10. Convent & Stuart Hall 259. Also: 22. Liberty-Madera Ranchos 667; 24. Riverdale 704.
Individuals: 1. Kenan Pala, Francis Parker, 14:51.0; 2. Alex Mader, Lick Wilmerding, 14:56.3; 3. Mark Trammell, Sante Fe Christian, 15:12.9; 4. Alex Bobowski, Sante Fe Christian, 15:17.4; 5. Michael Julian, The York School, 15:22.2; 6. Jack Barnes, Midland, 15:38.2; 7. Capelle Everett, St. Margarets, 15:41.3; 8. Eyan Turk, Woodcrest Christian, 15:41.5; 9. Micah Sanchez, Liberty Charter, 15:42.0; 10. Xander Penaflor, Providence Burbank, 15:42.9. Also: 103. Emilio Ortega 17:57.7; 128. Everardo Garcia, Riverdale, 18:21.0; 139. Kale King, Minarets, 18:37.7; 155. Noah Howard, Fresno Christian, 19:03.3; 180. Carson Loquaci, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 20:21.2; 189. Brandon Moreno, Riverdale, 21:03.9; 190. Bryan Gonzalez, Riverdale, 21:04.2; 191. Rogelio Garcia, Riverdale, 21:04.3; 192. Braulio Garcia, Riverdale, 21:12.0; 193. Spencer Gladders, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 21:28.6; 194. Oscar Santiago, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 21:56.8; 196. Allen Sanchez, Riverdale, 22:11.4; 197. Mathew Cancio, Riverdale, 22:17.3; 198. Oscar Santiago Briceno, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 22:18.9.
Girls
Division I
Teams: 1. Buchanan 51, 2. Newbury Park 72, 3. Oak Ridge, 147, 4. Dougherty Valley 176, 5. Greak Oak 199, 6. Los Altos 199, 7. Torrey Pines 212, 8. Clovis North 220, 9. Vista Murrieta 238, 10. Redondo Union 252. Also: 17. Clovis East 427.
Individuals: 1. Anna McNatt, McClatchy, 17:07.5; 2. Sam McDonnell, Newbury Park, 17:08.7; 3. Sydney Sundgren, Buchanan, 17:30.4; 4. Isabella Duarte, Saugus, 17:34.9; 5. Jacey Farmer, Rancho Bernardo, 17:41.4; 6. Elizabeth Fetter, Palo Alto, 17:44.5; 7. Brianne Smith, Quartz Hill, 17:47.4; 8. Elliana Lomeli, Buchanan, 17:54.0; 9. Kelli Gaffney, Great Oak, 17:59.1; 10. Ashlyn Leath, Clovis North, 18:00.9. Also: 14. Stefania Sesock, Buchanan, 18:06.5; 20. Caroline Mendyk, Buchanan, 18:19.2; 22. Sierra Cornett, Buchanan, 18;22.3; 36. Gianna Bomarito, Clovis North, 18:40.5; 47. Miliana Perez, Clovis North, 18:53.2; 52. Kalei Aoki-Chance, Clovis West, 18:56.7; 57. Kaylee Elliott, Buchanan, 19:02.5; 60. Ariana Womack, Clovis East, 19:04.2; 91. Kaitelyn Emmons, Clovis North, 19:40.1; 97. Samantha Ebell, Clovis North, 19:47.4; 101. Jazlin Diehl, Clovis East, 19:52.3; 108. Amy Payne, Clovis North, 20:00.8; 111. Bella Soyinthisane, Clovis East, 20:05.5; 118. Ayane Isleta, Clovis East, 20:11.5; 139. Kylie Ward, Clovis East, 20:42.1; 140. Miya Maltos, Clovis North, 20:42.8; 152. Sasha Lopez, Clovis East, 20:54.7; 157. Erika Nyberg, Clovis East, 21:09.5; 180. Grace Hutchison, Buchanan, 27:01.3.
Division II
Teams: 1. Mira Costa 86, 2. Canyon 123, 3. Granite Bay 149, 4. St. Francis 188, 5. Poway 194, 6. Granada 195, 7. Dana Hills 216, 8. St Francis 220, 9. Sanger 234, 10. Claremont 259.
Individuals: 1. Dalia Frias, Mira Costa, 16:52.0; 2. Sadie Engelhardt, Ventura, 16:58.7; 3. Aishling Callanan, Peninsula, 17:35.4; 4. Ella Parsley, Mira Costa, 17:45.5; 5. Tatiana Cornejo, St. Francis, 17:54.6; 6. Anna Chittenden, Mira Costa, 17:57.1; 7. Katie Kopec, Whitney, 17:57.3. 8. Jie Yi Denise Chen, Claremont, 18:03.7; 9. Emma Hadley, Canyon, 18:06.2; 10. Bella Peretti, Pioneer, 18:08.3. Also: 33. Leah Mendibles, Sanger, 18:56.8; 45. Nia Lamas, Sanger, 19:07.3; 46. Nereyda Alvarez, Sanger, 19:08.3; 52. Sienna Bianchi, Sanger, 19:12.2; 75. Sophia Mirelez, Madera, 19:33.0; 119. Anayacsi Diaz, Sanger, 20:16.5; 133. Maleia Alvarez, Sanger, 20:31.8; 134. Abigail Spain, Bullard, 20:33.4; 151. Alexa Vaca, Sanger, 21:02.0.
Division III
Teams: 1. Campolindo 109, 2. Del Oro 120, 3. Cathedral Catholic 157, 4. Tamalpais 163, 54. Palos Verdes 167, 6. La Costa Canyon 197, 7. Maria Carrillo 226, 8. South Torrance 252, 9. Oak Park 261, 10. Brea Linda 290.
Individuals: 1. Hanne Thomsen, Montgomery, 17:38.0; 2. Riley Chamberlain, Del Oro, 17;41.0; 3. Georgia McCorkle, Agoura, 17:52.3; 4. Mia Chavez, Cino, 17;55.0; 5. Ellie Buckley, Campolindo, 18:04.5; 6. Sydney Rome, Yorba Linda, 18:09.5; 7. Mia Torrecillas, Highland, 18:10.2; 8. Sophie Play, Santa Margarita, 18;11.8; 9. Madison Parrone, Oak Park, 18:14.2; 10. Sophie Compton, Point Loma, 18;21.0. Also: 90. Araceli Villarreal, Reedley, 20:05.3; 127. Carmen Gaebe, El Diamante, 20:42.3.
Division IV
Teams: 1. JSerra 122, 2. La Canada 131, 3. Sage Creek 131, 4. Oaks Christian 145, 5. Acalanes 174; 6. Laguna Hills 179, 7. Miramonte 180, 8. Harvard Westlake217, 9. Bishop Amat 217, 10. South Pasadena 244.
Individuals: 1. Sophia Nordenholz, Albany, 16:46.0; 2. Olivia Williams, Acalanes, 16:56.2; 3. Ashlyn Boothby, Scotts Valley, 17:27.1; 4. Stormy Wallace, Sage Creek, 17:34.0; 5. Payton Godsey, Oaks Christian, 17:35.4; 7. Holly Barker, Laguna Hills, 18:12.5; 7. Mahalia Quintana, Woodland, 18:18.0; 8. Renae Searls, Alhambra, 18:19.7; 9. Arielle McKenzie, La Canada, 18:22.4; 10. Katelyn Matarese, La Canada, 18:24.9. Also: 31. Julissa Avila, Farmersville, 19:06.6; 116. Leah Acosta, Roosevelt, 20:54.9; 124. Alyana Chavez, Roosevelt, 21:05.7;
Division V
Teams: 1. SF University 100, 2. Lick Wilmerding 103, 3. Linfield Christian 146, 4. Castilleja 178, 5. St. Margarets 197, 6. Xavier Prep 221, 7. Viewpoint 223, 8. Cate 255, 9. The Nueva School 272, 10. La Reina 274. Also: 24. Liberty-Madera Ranchos 633.
Individuals: 1. Revere Schmidt, Sante Fe Christian, 18:19.1; 2. Samira Kennedy, Castilleja, 18:30.2; 3. Leisel Blau, St. Margarets, 18:30.4; 4. Madeline Cramer, Bishop’s, 18:33.3; 5. Kaiya Brooks, Crystal Springs, 18:36.4; 6. Bethany Mapes, Liberty Charter, 18:38.7; 7. Claire Babbitt, Mary Star of the Sea, 18:49.4; 8. Ryley Burns, Linfield Christian, 18:52.4; 9. Amelie Maltz, Lick Wilmerding, 18:54.9; 10. Isis Diaz, Sierra Canyon, 18:55.1. Also: 119. Emma Connolly, Fresno Christian, 22:21.7; 127. Brooke DaSilva, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 22:40.4; 141. Zoey Cardosa, San Joaquin Memorial, 23:12.1; 151. Melody Miller, Central Valley Christian, 24:04.6; 165. Jenna Rodriguez, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 24:51.4; 165. Sienna Federico, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 24:56.2; 173. Esther Goot, Central Valley Christian, 25:22.9; 174. Graicyn Achelpohl, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 25:34.1; 175. Becky Bryant, Central Valley Christian, 25:59.1; 176. Hailey Bugg, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 26:00.6; 178. Audrey Dragt, Central Valley Christian, 26:01.9; 186. Emma Piedra, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 27:04.7; Maci Whale Whaley, Liberty-Madera Ranchos, 27:29.0.
This story was originally published November 27, 2021 at 6:07 PM.
