Cross Country News
Make it SIX! CPHS Girls Stampede to Back 2 Back City Championships!
On Saturday, November 23rd, the CPHS Girls Varsity team punched their ticket to Fresno, the CIF State Championships, representing the LAUSD Division II. It took a team effort as Bravo, Monroe, San Fernando and Santee were hot on the heels of the defending champion Hunters.
The tension thick as the score kept changing. CP had to wait until the final runner came in and all teams scored. The final: Santee 119, Bravo 95, Monroe 89, San Fernando 83, Canoga Park 79.
"Everyone had to have a good race. We knew it'd be close. And again, it came down to our number five runner. If she had a bad race, no championship," said head coach Gonzalo Vasquez.
In a sport where a team's five top runners are scored by place and the lowest score wins, Vanessa Perez, Canoga's number five runner, stayed ahead of enough pesky athletes to secure the victory.
The Hunters will be adding a sixth city title placard (6 in 9 seasons) to the main gym Wall of Champions. The team comprised Angelina Lopez, Sarai Rosas, Dulce Godinez (Captain), Abrianna Robles, Vaness Perez, Abriele Arcilla, Jasmin Garcia.
And the Individual City Champion Goes To......
Angelina Lopez coasted her way to an Individual City Champion title in a time of 18:28. What does that mean? Out of the eleven schools and 77 runners competing, she won the race, a gold medal. Heavily favored, Angelina left no doubt she is one of the best runners in the LAUSD.
The top 15 finishers are recognized with a medal. Hunter Sarai Rosas took 10th place, a big part of the team victory. CPHS posts back to back individual city champions and five in the last nine years. Angelina Valladares (2023), Dulce Gonzalez (2021), Gabriela Martinez (2019), Marcela Argueta (2015).
Quevedo Ties CPHS School Record at City Finals
Senior Alejandro Quevedo, plagued by nagging injuries this season, saved his best for last. At the Division II City Finals, he ran a personal best of 16:33, tying the school record set by Sonny Hernandez in 2018.
TRIVIA: CP finished 4th overall in the LAUSD. Team times:
Granada Hills 1:34:34, Palisades 1:36:02, Taft 1:39:51, Canoga Park 1:41:45
CP beat the Divisions 3, 4 & 5 champions.
Go Hunters...and I mean GO!
Written by: Antony Villalobos MCAA
Health & Physical Education Educator
Athletics Technician
Asst. Cross Country Coach
Head Track & Field Coach