In 2005 Corona Del Mar became the first girls team in Mt. San Antonio College history to break the magical 90-minute barrier, running 89 minutes, 42 seconds at the CIF Southern Section Championships that year. It remained the standard for California high school girls cross country for two years until a team from the Santa Clarita Valley started its record-breaking dynasty. Since that day in 2005, only six programs - five from Southern California and one from San Diego - have had five females average under 18 minutes on the historic 2.9-mile hill course.
One program, Saugus, accomplished this feat not once, not twice, but an impressive seven times between 2007-11. During that time, the Lady Centurions also won a record four consecutive sweepstakes titles at the Mt. SAC Invitational and set a record for lowest point total at the prestigious meet (24 points at the 2008 invitational). Another, Great Oak, heads into this weekend's meet as the defending sweepstakes champions and course record-holders (87:58 in the 2013 section finals). California high school girls cross country is so competitive nowadays, teams finishing second in the invitational and section finals are still going under the 90-minute barrier (Simi Valley took second at the 2012 invitational in 88:30, Saugus took second at the 2011 section finals in 89:12, and Great Oak took second at the 2013 invitational in 89:53).
This weekend the best teams of the 2015 season will clash in Walnut, Calif. Great Oak, Saugus and Davis could write their names into the record-books, as all three are capable of challenging the 90-minute barrier in conditions cooperate. There's no doubt as to whether not the pace will be quick enough. Davis' Fiona O'Keffe (16:28 in last year's invite) and Great Oak's Destiny Collins (17:10 in 2013) headline a deep field this weekend.
One program, Saugus, accomplished this feat not once, not twice, but an impressive seven times between 2007-11. During that time, the Lady Centurions also won a record four consecutive sweepstakes titles at the Mt. SAC Invitational and set a record for lowest point total at the prestigious meet (24 points at the 2008 invitational). Another, Great Oak, heads into this weekend's meet as the defending sweepstakes champions and course record-holders (87:58 in the 2013 section finals). California high school girls cross country is so competitive nowadays, teams finishing second in the invitational and section finals are still going under the 90-minute barrier (Simi Valley took second at the 2012 invitational in 88:30, Saugus took second at the 2011 section finals in 89:12, and Great Oak took second at the 2013 invitational in 89:53).
This weekend the best teams of the 2015 season will clash in Walnut, Calif. Great Oak, Saugus and Davis could write their names into the record-books, as all three are capable of challenging the 90-minute barrier in conditions cooperate. There's no doubt as to whether not the pace will be quick enough. Davis' Fiona O'Keffe (16:28 in last year's invite) and Great Oak's Destiny Collins (17:10 in 2013) headline a deep field this weekend.
The Queen of the Hills: Saugus
Head coach Rene Paragas and the Saugus girls program have without a doubt raised the bar when it comes to California high school cross country. The Lady Centurions have almost done it all, with a national championship and San Francisco University's record for most state championships (10) the only things missing from their dynasty. Perhaps the greatest performance in state history comes is from Saugus, when they clocked a then-course record of 88:18 in very hot conditions at the 2008 Mt. SAC Invitational. Following that performance, long-time announcer Tim O'Rourke was quoted saying, "if this race was Saugus against the world, Saugus wins, the world takes second." They scored just 24 points, a meet record for lowest score and out-scored the entire field. It's also just one of two times one program has had all five scorers under the 18-minute barrier (17:13, 17:35, 17:43, 17:51, 17:56), the other coming in the 2007 CIF Southern Section Championships, when Saugus went 17:20, 17:20, 17:49, 17:55 and 17:58 to win their second straight championship and shatter their own course record from the 2007 invite.
Saugus owns seven of the top 18, and three of the top four, fastest team times in course history (including the meet record in 88:18), claimed four straight sweepstakes titles from 2006-09 at the Mt. SAC Invitational and won five consecutive CIF Southern Section Championships from 2006-2010 (2010 was the rain course). The Centurions will compete in the team sweepstakes race for the first time since winning a fourth consecutive sweepstakes title in 2009 and are also eyeing a ninth state championship in 10 years (and the program's 10th straight crown).
Saugus owns seven of the top 18, and three of the top four, fastest team times in course history (including the meet record in 88:18), claimed four straight sweepstakes titles from 2006-09 at the Mt. SAC Invitational and won five consecutive CIF Southern Section Championships from 2006-2010 (2010 was the rain course). The Centurions will compete in the team sweepstakes race for the first time since winning a fourth consecutive sweepstakes title in 2009 and are also eyeing a ninth state championship in 10 years (and the program's 10th straight crown).
2007 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:34 No. 13 all-time
Katie Dunn (Senior) 17:27
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:31
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:59
Brianna Jauregui (Junior) 18:18
Amber Murakami (Sophomore) 18:19
~ 1st (62 points) ~
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:31
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:59
Brianna Jauregui (Junior) 18:18
Amber Murakami (Sophomore) 18:19
~ 1st (62 points) ~
2007 CIF Southern Section Prelims - 89:58 No. 18 all-time
Katie Dunn (Senior) 17:37
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:37
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:58
Amber Murakami (Sophomore) 18:10
Michelle Bonja (Senior) 18:36
~ 1st (20 points) ~
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:37
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:58
Amber Murakami (Sophomore) 18:10
Michelle Bonja (Senior) 18:36
~ 1st (20 points) ~
2007 CIF Southern Section Championships - 88:22 No. 4 all-time
Katie Dunn (Senior) 17:20
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:20
Annie Randall (Junior) 17:49
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:55
Brianna Jauregui (Junior) 17:58
~ 1st (37 points) ~
Kaylin Mahoney (Freshman) 17:20
Annie Randall (Junior) 17:49
Nina Moore (Senior) 17:55
Brianna Jauregui (Junior) 17:58
~ 1st (37 points) ~
2008 Mt. SAC Invitational - 88:18 No. 2 all-time
Kaylin Mahoney (Sophomore) 17:13
Annie Randall (Senior) 17:35
Amber Murakami (Junior) 17:43
Brianna Jauregui (Senior) 17:51
Stephanie Bulder (Sophomore) 17:56
~ 1st (24 points) ~
Annie Randall (Senior) 17:35
Amber Murakami (Junior) 17:43
Brianna Jauregui (Senior) 17:51
Stephanie Bulder (Sophomore) 17:56
~ 1st (24 points) ~
2008 CIF Southern Section Championships - 88:20 No. 3 all-time
Kaylin Mahoney (Sophomore) 17:01
Amber Murakami (Junior) 17:38
Stephanie Bulder (Sophomore) 17:46
Annie Randall (Senior) 17:53
Brianna Jauregui (Senior) 18:02
~ 1st (21 points) ~
Amber Murakami (Junior) 17:38
Stephanie Bulder (Sophomore) 17:46
Annie Randall (Senior) 17:53
Brianna Jauregui (Senior) 18:02
~ 1st (21 points) ~
2009 CIF Southern Section Championships - 89:15 No. 11 all-time
Kaylin Mahoney (Junior) 17:22
Karis Frankian (Sophomore) 17:31
Stephanie Bulder (Junior) 17:50
Amber Murakami (Senior) 18:15
Merissa Kado (Junior) 18:17
~ 1st (41 points) ~
Karis Frankian (Sophomore) 17:31
Stephanie Bulder (Junior) 17:50
Amber Murakami (Senior) 18:15
Merissa Kado (Junior) 18:17
~ 1st (41 points) ~
2011 CIF Southern Section Championships - 89:12 No. 10 all-time
Karis Frankian (Senior) 17:06
Jenay Jauregui (Senior) 17:33
Jordan McCall (Senior) 18:03
Heidi Hoslet (Junior) 18:15
Katie Huntington (Junior) 18:15
~ 2nd (69 points) ~
Jenay Jauregui (Senior) 17:33
Jordan McCall (Senior) 18:03
Heidi Hoslet (Junior) 18:15
Katie Huntington (Junior) 18:15
~ 2nd (69 points) ~
The Fastest of All-Time: Great Oak
Great Oak has been the team to beat over the last few cross country seasons, winning three consecutive state championships from 2012-14 and a team sweepstakes title in 89:30 last October (without top runner Destiny Collins). They're the only program to break 88 minutes at Mt. SAC, running a historic 87:58 to take down Saugus' course record of 88:18 at the 2013 CIF Southern Section Championships, and last year, the set the championship record for lowest score, tallying just 20 points to win another section championship in 88:29 (No. 6 all-time!). They're the second best program in Mt. SAC history, having broken the coveted 90-minute barrier five times between 2012-14.
This weekend the Wolverines are the heavy favorites to repeat as team sweepstakes champions, led by senior Destiny Collins (17:10 best from the 2013 season. They're ranked No. 2 behind Fayetteville-Manlius of New York (winner of eight Nike Cross National titles in the last nine years!).
This weekend the Wolverines are the heavy favorites to repeat as team sweepstakes champions, led by senior Destiny Collins (17:10 best from the 2013 season. They're ranked No. 2 behind Fayetteville-Manlius of New York (winner of eight Nike Cross National titles in the last nine years!).
2012 Mt. SAC Invitational - 88:51 No. 8 all-time
Ashley Helbig (Junior) 17:28
Haley Dorris (Junior) 17:28
Maiya Larsen (Sophomore) 17:55
Miranda Kewley (Senior) 17:56
Christian Calain (Junior) 18:04
~ 1st (38 points) ~
Haley Dorris (Junior) 17:28
Maiya Larsen (Sophomore) 17:55
Miranda Kewley (Senior) 17:56
Christian Calain (Junior) 18:04
~ 1st (38 points) ~
2013 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:53 No. 17 all-time
Haley Dorris (Senior) 17:19
Destiny Collins (Sophomore) 17:21
Desiree Stinger (Sophomore) 18:04
Kiyena Beatty (Freshman) 18:34
Ashley Helbig (Senior) 18:35
~ 2nd (73 points) ~
Destiny Collins (Sophomore) 17:21
Desiree Stinger (Sophomore) 18:04
Kiyena Beatty (Freshman) 18:34
Ashley Helbig (Senior) 18:35
~ 2nd (73 points) ~
2013 CIF Southern Section Championships - 87:58 No. 1 all-time
Destiny Collins (Sophomore) 17:10
Haley Dorris (Senior) 17:19
Ashley Helbig (Senior) 17:35
Desiree Stinger (Sophomore) 17:52
Kiyena Beatty (Freshman) 18:02
~ 1st (34 points) ~
Haley Dorris (Senior) 17:19
Ashley Helbig (Senior) 17:35
Desiree Stinger (Sophomore) 17:52
Kiyena Beatty (Freshman) 18:02
~ 1st (34 points) ~
2014 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:30 No. 12 all-time
Emily Clause (Junior) 17:34
Kiyena Beatty (Sophomore) 17:37
Sydney Belus (Sophomore) 18:04
Desiree Stinger (Junior) 18:06
Taylor Walker (Junior) 18:08
~ 1st (38 points) ~
Kiyena Beatty (Sophomore) 17:37
Sydney Belus (Sophomore) 18:04
Desiree Stinger (Junior) 18:06
Taylor Walker (Junior) 18:08
~ 1st (38 points) ~
2014 CIF Southern Section Championships - 88:29 No. 6 all-time
Destiny Collins (Junior) 17:21
Kiyena Beatty (Sophomore) 17:31
Emily Clause (Junior) 17:34
Sandra Pflughoft (Freshman) 18:01
Sydney Belus (Sophomore) 18:02
~ 1st (20 points) ~
Kiyena Beatty (Sophomore) 17:31
Emily Clause (Junior) 17:34
Sandra Pflughoft (Freshman) 18:01
Sydney Belus (Sophomore) 18:02
~ 1st (20 points) ~
The First Team Under 90: Corona Del Mar
Although Corona Del Mar only broke the elusive barrier during its reign in the mid-2000s, the Sea Kings were the first program to dip under 90 minutes, clocking an impressive 89:42, led by Annie St. Geme's 16:55 effort to win the 2005 CIF Southern Section Championships. CDM are also known for having four runners break the five-minute barrier over 1,600 meters in the spring and once held the California state record in the 4x1,600-meter relay (Saugus, Great Oak, and a few others have run faster than their 20:20 performance around the oval since that evening).
2005 CIF Southern Section Championships - 89:42 No. 15 all-time
Annie St. Geme (Senior) 16:51
Sarah Cummings (Junior) 17:55
Shelby Buckley (Sophomore) 18:06
Allison Damon (Sophomore) 18:12
Nichole Slykhaus (Junior) 18:38
~ 1st (22 points) ~
Sarah Cummings (Junior) 17:55
Shelby Buckley (Sophomore) 18:06
Allison Damon (Sophomore) 18:12
Nichole Slykhaus (Junior) 18:38
~ 1st (22 points) ~
The Streak Breakers: Simi Valley
The Simi Valley Pioneers will forever be known as the team that beat Saugus by nine points at the 2011 CIF Southern Section Championships. Their performance ended Saugus' five and half year undefeated streak against California schools. In the process Simi Valley clocked 88:25 to Saugus' 89:12 team time that morning. SV has broken the 90-minute four times since the 2011 section finals, including an 80:30 performance (No. 7 all-time!), led by Sarah Baxter's historic 16:00 performance, which shattered Amber Trotter's "once-thought-unapproachable" course record (16:16). The Pioneers also have two team sweepstakes titles to their name, in 2011 and 2013, and were second to Great Oak in 2012.
2011 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:42 No. 16 all-time
Sarah Baxter (Sophomore) 16:59
Karla Vernola (Senior) 17:56
Rachel Vinas (Junior) 18:07
Erika Barr (Senior) 18:14
Sarah Riggs (Freshman) 18:26
~ 1st (55 points) ~
Karla Vernola (Senior) 17:56
Rachel Vinas (Junior) 18:07
Erika Barr (Senior) 18:14
Sarah Riggs (Freshman) 18:26
~ 1st (55 points) ~
2011 CIF Southern Section Championships - 88:25 No. 5 all-time
Sarah Baxter (Sophomore) 16:44
Karla Vernola (Senior) 17:38
Erika Barr (Senior) 17:50
Sarah Riggs (Freshman) 18:05
Rachel Vinas (Junior) 18:08
~ 1st (60 points) ~
Karla Vernola (Senior) 17:38
Erika Barr (Senior) 17:50
Sarah Riggs (Freshman) 18:05
Rachel Vinas (Junior) 18:08
~ 1st (60 points) ~
2012 Mt. SAC Invitational - 88:30 No. 7 all-time
Sarah Baxter (Junior) 16:00
Samantha Tetef (Sophomore) 17:58
Sarah Riggs (Sophomore) 18:00
Olivia Rosellini (Sophomore) 18:11
Charlotte Utash (Junior) 18:21
~ 2nd (59 points) ~
Samantha Tetef (Sophomore) 17:58
Sarah Riggs (Sophomore) 18:00
Olivia Rosellini (Sophomore) 18:11
Charlotte Utash (Junior) 18:21
~ 2nd (59 points) ~
2013 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:34 No. 14 all-time
Sarah Baxter (Senior) 16:11
Kaitlyn Wood (Freshman) 18:15
Desirae Jones (Junior) 18:17
Samantha Barajas (Freshman) 18:23
Olivia Rosellini (Junior) 18:28
~ 1st (72 points) ~
Kaitlyn Wood (Freshman) 18:15
Desirae Jones (Junior) 18:17
Samantha Barajas (Freshman) 18:23
Olivia Rosellini (Junior) 18:28
~ 1st (72 points) ~
The Bridesmaid: La Costa Canyon
"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."... La Costa Canyon won the Mt. SAC team sweepstakes race in 2010, but suffered not one, not two, but three losses when it came the CIF State Cross Country Championships. Only two teams in state history went home with the runner-up plaque three years in a row (La Costa Canyon from 2010-12 and Mira Costa from 2008-10). Their lone win at the Mt. SAC Invitational saw them run an impressive 89:03, No. 9 in course history, led by the quartet of Emma and Ellie Abrahamson, Kelly Lawson and Shonoah Souza.
2010 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:03 No. 9 all-time
Emma Abrahamson (Freshman) 17:05
Kelly Lawson (Junior) 17:31
Ellie Abrahamson (Junior) 17:42
Shanoah Souza (Junior) 17:51
Janelle Steigerwald (Senior) 18:54
~ 1st (104 points) ~
Kelly Lawson (Junior) 17:31
Ellie Abrahamson (Junior) 17:42
Shanoah Souza (Junior) 17:51
Janelle Steigerwald (Senior) 18:54
~ 1st (104 points) ~
One of the Greatest of All-Time: Mira Costa
There's never been a friendship among two teams like the one Mira Costa and Saugus had in 2010. The Mustangs were just third in 89:58 at the Mt. SAC Invitational, but teamed up with the Lady Centurions at the section and state championships. They ended up finishing second behind Saugus in one of the fastest 5,000-meter team times in United States history just four weeks later in Woodward Park in Fresno (third consecutive runner-up finish). The top five performers, and nine in the top 12, at the 2010 state final were also all Mira Costa and Saugus (Pio, Mahoney, Bulder, Foland, Frankian, Hernando, Jauregui, Hampton and Sugimoto) It's too bad the CIF Southern Section Championships were held on the rain course that November because both teams were capable of sub-89 races at Mt. SAC that fall. Still, Mira Costa joins this list at No. 19 all-time.
2010 Mt. SAC Invitational - 89:58 No. 19 all-time
Savannah Pio (Senior) 17:15
Kelly Sugimoto (Junior) 17:40
Aryn Foland (Senior) 18:02
Vivien Cherrette (Junior) 18:13
Jenna Tong (Junior) 18:48
~ 3rd (121 points) ~
Kelly Sugimoto (Junior) 17:40
Aryn Foland (Senior) 18:02
Vivien Cherrette (Junior) 18:13
Jenna Tong (Junior) 18:48
~ 3rd (121 points) ~
Top 20 All-Time Team Times at Mt. SAC
| Past Mt. SAC Team Sweepstakes Champions (Top Teams) 2014 - Great Oak, 38 points 2013 - Simi Valley, 72 points 2012 - Great Oak, 38 points 2011 - Simi Valley, 55 points 2010 - La Costa Canyon, 104 points 2009 - Saugus, 67 points 2008 - Saugus, 24 points 2007 - Saugus, 62 points 2006 - Saugus, 100 points 2005 - Corona Del Mar, 38 points (in division three sweeps) 2004 - Murrieta Valley, 122 points 2003 - Murrieta Valley, 70 points 2002 - Sultana, 62 points |