Clovis North’s Conor Lott wins state title, Buchanan girls second in cross country
Conor Lott couldn’t believe what he saw in sight: a state title.
He admits that it also helps to run on the same course that he’s familiar with.
It was just a matter of time of pulling away and breaking away for good from other runners at Woodward Park.
The Clovis North junior ran the 5,000-meter course in 15:05 to claim the Broncos’ first individual title in cross country history.
“I’ve been going for this since literally the start of the summer and training,” Lott said. “Visualizing and actually getting it, it’s just amazing. I think I’m one of the first juniors in our area to do this. I’m super proud of that on a course that I’m familiar with.”
Just how familiar he said? He said he would go out to Woodward Park and run the hills as often as possible.
He said it’s a face for him, although he admits he struggled at the beginning just trying to keep up with the pace.
It’s just the last mile where he kicked it up a notch and he said bye to the nearest runner on his way to the finish line.
“I did see some of them starting to kick and they looked pretty weak,” he said. “I thought I could do it. I thought they were really going to get me, and they were close. It’s really special.”
Clovis North coach Jason Lienau said it was all about “control” for Lott.
“I don’t think anybody can outkick him,” he said. “I’m thinking he can win this and he has the confidence at that point that he can do it. I ran across the field about 500 to go and saw him. He just kind of worked his way up on the outside of the group and used that speed he got. Really strong finish and he’s very confident.”
Luke Sanders of Buchanan, who battled Lott all season, also had a strong showing.
Sanders finished third in at 15:06.5.
Buchanan girls place second
Buchanan hoped to get back on top at the podium.
It wasn’t meant to be for a second straight year.
Instead it was Trabuco Hills winning their first state meet in school history, fending off the Bears 48-57.
“Anytime you place in the state meet, it’s very exciting,” Buchanan coach Brian Weaver said. “We ran the second fastest team time in the history of Woodward Park for our girls. It took the fastest team time ever to beat us. So I’m very proud of what our girls did.”
Buchanan was led by Molly Sundgren who placed fifth in 17:29.4.
“Great performance,” Weaver said. “We’ve been seeing things like that start happening, but every week it’s been a different girl. We knew something would happen special with some of them, and it really did.”
The last state title for the Bears took place in 2022.
Strong showing for Torres runner
While Torres’ Benjamin Fernandez didn’t place first at a fast time, he did had the fastest time among Central Section runners.
Torres placed sixth with a time of 15:03.9.
His first mile he was racing at 4:42.0 and in 2.1 miles he was pacing in 10:14.4.
Torres was second behind Jesuit 67-118.
Other Fresno-area finishers
Marcus Salinas ninth in the Division I race; Isabella Ramirez of Bullard sixth in D-I; Hunter Hannah of Torres ninth in D-II; Yosemite boys seventh in D-V; Blake Bay of Fresno Christian sixth in D-V; Immanuel girls second in D-V and Clara Riddle of Immanuel seventh.
This story was originally published December 1, 2024 at 6:16 AM.
