Teams competing despite slow returns

ECS staff report

SANTEE – Despite all of the excitement regarding the return of high school athletics in what is hoped to be the final stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, cross country is discovering an even bigger problem: not enough student-athletes willing to compete.

Among the 10 cross country meets held by the Grossmont Conference on Friday (Feb. 19) — five for the boys; five for the girls, only one finished with a complete score as host West Hills clipped visiting Valhalla, 24-32, over the 2-mile circuit at West Hills.

All of the other meets “featured” incomplete rosters, resulting in a No Score dual meet, or the results were not reported, with fears of additional No Score results.

Among the top three pairs of runners, the Wolf Pack won each individual battle for places 1-3-5 placements versus the 2-4-6 finish of the Norsemen, which kept the Orange in the meet.

However, the depth of West Hills proved to be the difference, as the Pack took places 7 and 8 to clinch the triumph.

West Hills senior Landon Morales out-battled Manuel Campos of Valhalla. Morales barely stayed under the 11-minute barrier with a clocking of 10:59 over the 2-mile course. It was the first medal of the season for Morales.

Campos, a junior who posted the best time in the conference in last week’s season openers, was 13 seconds back in 11:12.

No other Grossmont Hills League results were posted by 10 p.m.

Monte Vista boys at the start on Friday. / MonarchSports1

In the Grossmont Valley League, Santana and Monte Vista will compete for the league title later in the calendar after posting automatic victories against incomplete squads.

The Sultans (2-0) saw Connor Cheary claim medalist honors by 13 seconds to topple El Cajon Valley.

Monte Vista did the same over Mount Miguel, despite the medal going to Finn McClure of the Matadors, who won by a whopping 82 seconds.

In Wednesday’s City League meet at Morley Field, Christian also failed to field a complete roster in a loss to Mission Bay.

To those teams short on competitors, please note: the CIF state office has cleared the way for student-athletes to compete in more than one sport at the same time. Thus, soccer players are available.

GIRLS

All of the girls meets no No Score finals or no results reported.

Among the medalists, Valhalla senior Kate Branski and Mount Miguel freshman Kenzie Reyna became the first double-winners in the medalist standings this season.

Branski defeated teammate Peri Kraft by 62 seconds. Reyna pulled away late to take a 10-second decision over Monarchs team leader Valeria Sanchez.

Santana’s Mikayla Horning led the pack to down El Cajon Valley.

In a City League meet held at Balboa Park’s Morley Field on Wednesday, Christian again had a No Score despite Patriots senior Alaina Zamorano posted an amazing victory margin of 2:25 over the 3.11-mile course for her second medal of the season.