Runners complete successful season

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

LA MESA – The most important meet on Friday’s (Mar. 12) final day of the regular season in cross country saw Grossmont High senior Madeline Minutelli clinch the Grossmont Hills League runner of the year award with her fifth medal in as many meets.However, Valhalla displayed its depth to nip the Foothillers, 27-30, to secure second place in the GHL. The schools entered the dual tied in the standings; Steele Canyon officially clinched a week prior.The Montana State bound Minutelli skimmed through the 2.35-mile course at historic Harry Griffen Park in 13:58, eclipsing her own school record by three seconds, The clocking was also 10 seconds better than 4-time season medalist Kate Branski of Valhalla. But the team result tilted toward Orange Nation with three of the next four runners hailing from the Norsemen.

Although they were more than a minute behind Branski, Peri Kraft (15:11) and Emilee Olander (15:15) gave Valhalla enough high placements to clinch the meet.

The top four finishers are seniors. A sixth-place finish by junior Alyssa Kasyouhannon prevented displacement points to allow for a late Foothillers comeback.

Elsewhere, Steele Canyon completed an undefeated season by grounding Granite Hills, 16-46.

Jennifer McCubbin earned her second straight medal with a 14:01clocking in her ate-season surge.

In the Grossmont Valley League, Santana’s Mikayla Horning was the medalist in the Sultans shutout of Monte Vista.

El Capitan was expected to clinch the GVL title outright with a triumph over winless El Cajon Valley, but the results were not reported. The GHL meet pitting Helix and West Hills also went unreported.

Out of the conference, Christian High’s Amber Zamorano earned medalist honors in the City League final at Balboa Park’s Morley Field held Wednesday (Mar. 10), when the Patriots faced Madison.

In the Frontier League on Saturday (Mar. 13), Mountain Empire junior Rose Johnson was the top finisher over a 5K layout in Buckman Springs. However, there was no team score between the RedHawks and the visiting River Valley Charter Snow Leopards of Lakeside due to a shortage of competitors.

BOYS

Santana capped an unbeaten Grossmont Valley League finish with a shutout of Monte Vista. Not only were the top five runners all wearing Sultans Purple, so were eight of the top nine.

The medalist was claimed by Connor Cheary for his third victory of the year. His time of 13:26 was 16 seconds better than Jayson Oliver. Both are sophomores.

Grossmont Hills action saw Steele Canyon also compete an unblemished season by taking down Granite Hills.

The Cougars’ Diego Lopez is expected to be the GHL runner of the year with five unanswered victories. He was clocked in 13:16 over the 2.55-mile layout.

Grossmont earned a second-place deadlock with Valhalla at 3-2 each, yet earned the tie-breaker after slipping past the Norsemen, 25-32.

The medalist was Ian Rosen of Grossmont in 12:42 over 2.35 miles. For Rosen, it was his second medal in the abbreviated season, moving h him into third place in the individual standings.

Elsewhere, River Valley Charter, which is located in Lakeside, had a breakthrough on Saturday (Mar. 13) when Snow Leopards sophomore Thomas Medlin edged freshman teammate Hugh Burnell in a meet against host Mountain Empire.

The City League final between Christian and Madison was a double no-score at Morley Field in Balboa Park.

Elsewhere, West Hills vs. Helix (GHL) and El Capitan-ECVHS (GVL) were not reported.

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RESULTS
BOYS
Fri., Mar. 12
Grossmont Valley League

Santana 15, Monte Vista 48

Medalist: Connor Cheary (S), 13:26 (2.50m)
Full Results

Grossmont Hills League
Grossmont 25, Valhalla 32
Medalist: Ian Rosen (G), 12:42 (2.35m)
Full ResultsSteele Canyon 16,  Granite Hills 47
Medalist: Diego Lopez (SC), 13:16 (2.55m)
Ful ResultsWest Hills vs. Helix, no reportWed., Mar. 10
City League
Christian-Madison, double no score
Medalist: Jose Dominguez (M), 18:14 (3.11m)

Sat., Mar. 13
Frontier League
River Valley (Lakeside)-Mtn. Empire, no scores
Medalist: Thomas Medlin (RV)18:33 (5K)
Full Results

GIRLS
Grossmont Valley League
Santana 15, Monte Vista 46
Medalist: Mikayla Horning (S), 16:07 (2.50m)
Full Results

ECVHS vs. El Capitan,no report

Grossmont Hills League
Valhalla 27, Grossmont 30
Medalist: Madeline Minutelli (G), 13:58 (2.35m)
Full Results