The elite Mt. SAC Invitational is annually regarded as a barometer for the season-ending state championship meet.
The Metro Conference’s top runners may be in store for a fantastic finish if that holds true.
The Otay Ranch Mustangs galloped to the lead among many of the section’s schools.
“The kids ran exceptionally well at Mt. SAC,” Otay Ranch coach Julian Valdez said. “We were very excited to have the opportunity to run in the top race at the event, the team sweepstakes (Division 1-2).
“We understood the pressure and expectation that comes with running in that caliber a race. The boys responded with an eighth-place finish (ninth overall out of 358 teams), and the top overall results from San Diego County. Our 16-second five-man gap made us a tough out, and I am so proud of how they ran. These guys still are fully aware of the fact that while exciting, the season goals are still ahead of them.”
Junior Jake Shorey finished 37th in the field of 133 runners with a time of 15:55 for three miles while classmate Jacob Juden was 39th in 15:56.
“Our girls also ran extremely well in a loaded field coming in seventh in their race. Senior Leila Fuerte and freshmen Aviva DeVore both logged top five times in school history at the historic course. I am very happy with them, and their ability to fight for one another. This is a hybrid group of youth and experience. I know they want to compete with the top teams and show no fear in the process.”
Hilltop senior Jimmy Byland ran a 15:40 time on the three-mile course at Mt. SAC at place 12th out of 103 runners in the Division 3-5 race while Lancer teammate Miguel Tisnado timed 16:03 to place 16th. Senior Eddie Castaneda (16:34) finished 28th.
As a team, Hilltop came in sixth place in last Friday’s evening sweepstakes red division race.
Otay Ranch has two dual meets left in Mesa League competition — Bonita Vista and Olympian — before the league finals Nov. 12 at Rohr Park.
“We are hopeful we can contend for championships,” Valdez said.
Castle Park sinks Bonita Vista, 16-9, to claim third consecutive league title
Castle Park defeated Bonita Vista, 16-9, Wednesday at the Parkway pool to secure the team’s third consecutive South Bay League championship title.
The win improved the Trojans’ league record to 7-0 with one game remaining on their schedule — Friday against Southwest.
Bonita Vista dropped to 7-2 in league play, 11-10 overall. Montgomery is 5-4 in league, 5-10 overall. Southwest is 3-6 in league, 4-10 overall. San Ysidro is 2-6 in league, 4-10 overall. Chula Vista is 0-6 in league, 0-6 overall.
Ryland Humphrey led Castle Park to its latest win with six goals while H Martinez scored five goals. Kristian Gutierrez paced Bonita Vista with four goals while Caleb Hutchins had three goals.
“I’m very proud of these boys I’ve been with them since their sophomore year and I’m proud the title they defended for three years, especially during COVID,” CPHS head coach Mark Esquivel said.
Castle Park, No. 3 overall in the Division III power rankings, finished 1-4 at last week’s San Diego Open tournament with a 16-15 win over Mira Mesa and losses to Mission Hills (17-10), Canyon Hills (20-12) and El Capitan (16-6).
Mar Vista, this year’s Mesa League champion, continues to bid for a berth in the upcoming Open Division playoffs after finishing 3-2 at the San Diego Open with wins over Steele Canyon (10-4), Bainbridge, Wash. (19-14) and Canyon Crest Academy (11-7) and losses to Poway (10-8) and Valhalla (13-10).
Mar Vista, No. 5 in the Division I power rankings, improved to 9-0 in league, 22-4 overall, following Wednesday’s 16-2 win against Olympian (1-8, 3-18). Hilltop (15-4 overall) carried a 6-2 league record into Wednesday’s game against Eastlake (6-2, 11-12).
Mater Dei Catholic was 2-6 in league, 4-22 overall, in the Mesa League standings while Otay Ranch was 1-7 in league play, 4-12 overall.
La Jolla (21-3) tops the Division I power rankings while Valhalla (20-6) is No. 2, Grossmont (18-9) is No. 3 and Poway (16-9) is No. 4.
Grossmont defeated Mt. Carmel, 8-2, in two overtimes to win its division at the San Diego Open.
Mt. Carmel (21-5) is No. 1 in the Division II power rankings while Hilltop is No. 9 and Eastlake is No. 13.
Bonita Vista is No. 9 in the Division III power rankings while Montgomery is No. 12.
San Dieguito Academy (17-4) and Mission Bay (11-6) are first and second, respectively, in the Division III power rankings.
