SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Cross Country

Cross Country calendar:

2005 season steps off as Metro runners out to earn respect

The road to last year’s state cross country championship meet took many turns during the regular season for Metro Conference runners but ended on the right one for four individual qualifiers.

Bonita Vista’s Eric Avila concluded his sophomore season of plenty by placing 19th in the boys Division I race in Fresno while Sweetwater’s Azael Gomez and Marian Catholic’s Shanice Howard matched the BV harrier with top 10 place-finishes at the San Diego Section Division championships and Castle Park’s Julia Hernandez punctuated an amazing freshman season by placing 11th in her race at the section finals.

All four underclassmen state qualifiers are eligible to return this season, which should help boost the South County’s presence in major competitions.

The 2005 season steps off Friday, Sept. 2, with the West Hills Wolf Pack Invitational. Races are divided by grade level and start at 4 p.m.

The Movin’ Shoes Vaquero Stampede steps off Saturday, Sept. 3, at Lindo Lake Park in Lakeside. Entered boys teams include Bonita Vista, Chula Vista, Eastlake, Granite Hills, Mira Mesa, Morse, San Pasqual, University City, Vista and Westview. Entered girls teams include Castle Park, Christian, El Capitan, Hilltop, Hoover, Mar Vista, Mount Miguel, Santana, Serra and Scripps Ranch.

The 10th annual Mustang Invitational will take place Friday, Sept. 9, at Rohr Park in Chula Vista.

This year’s San Diego Section championship meet is scheduled Nov. 19 at Morley Field in Balboa Park and will feature five enrollment divisions.

Avila ran to top honors at last year’s Metro Conference championship meet by timing 15:50 on the 3.04-mile course at Rohr Park. SuHi’s Gomez challenged Avila down the final hill, placing second in 15:51. Bonita Vista’s Austin Jett, who turned in his own standout sophomore season, and Abraham Alavarez — finishing up a standout prep career — were third and fourth in the race.

At the section finals, Gomez was seventh in the Division I race while Howard was sixth in the Division IV girls race. Hernandez, who competed in the Division II girls race, finished second among individuals at the South Bay League finals.