Simi Valley High brought out its big guns.
Camarillo left its biggest at home to rest.
Both schools left quite an impression Saturday at the CIF-Southern Section Cross Country Prelims at Mount San Antonio College.
Led by Sarah Baxter, one of the best girls’ freshman runners in the state, Simi Valley won its Division I qualifying heat by a wide margin. The Pioneers placed six runners in the top 15.
Baxter was the individual winner, completing the three-mile course in 17 minutes, 39 seconds, which was the fastest overall female time of the day. Erika Barr was third in 18:33, followed by teammates Chelsea Feller (18:49) in sixth and Madelyn Vorgitch (18:54) in eighth.
Even without No. 1 runner Heyden Wooff in the lineup, Camarillo easily won its Division II boys’ heat with 32 points. Esteban Vega (15:36), Adam Lucero (15:43), Joe Gonzalez (15:47) and Cole Couchman (15:53) finished in the top 10.
In all, 18 area teams advanced to the CIF Divisional Finals on Saturday at the same course.
Also finishing first in its heat was Division IV girls’ power La Reina.
Camarillo led a pack of four Ventura County teams qualifying for the Division II boys’ final. Camarillo and Ventura had the sixth and seventh fastest overall boys’ team times.
Westlake and Ventura were runners-up in their heats, while Thousand Oaks placed third in its race.
Leading Westlake were Timmy Snyder (15:49) and Jonathan Miller (16:00). Ventura had four runners in the top 20, led by Easton Tackett (15:37) and Kyle Salmonsen (15:47). For Thousand Oaks, Sam Worley (15:38) and Michael Spencer (15:44) made the top 10.
Oak Park advanced to the Division III boys’ final by placing fifth in its heat. Sahm Bazargan was eighth in 16:13.
In Division IV boys, Fillmore and Nordhoff qualified, while Oaks Christian missed after placing ninth in its race.
Hugo Valdovinos (16:54) and Anthony Rivas (16:59) made the top 20 for Fillmore. Gustavo Sanchez of Nordhoff was second in his heat in 16:16. St. Bonaventure’s Anthony Allen was 12th in 16:44. Placing 26th was Vincent Colarossi of Oaks Christian.
Led by Will Callan (16:33), Thacher qualified third in its Division V heat. The Toads had five runners in the top 25.
Neither Buena or Channel Islands advanced in Division I boys.
Qualifying for the Division II girls’ final were Thousand Oaks, Royal, Camarillo and Newbury Park.
Thousand Oaks placed four runners in the top 15, led by Melanie Joerger (19:09) and Caitlin Turner (19:14), to finish second in its heat. Competing in the same race, Newbury Park was fourth. Sammie Cox (19:09) was 11th for the Panthers. Ventura and Rio Mesa did not advance after finishing sixth and seventh.
Sophie Mateu (18:25) and Kelly Upson (19:11) paced Royal to second in its heat. Camarillo took third in its race behind Raquel Lambdin (19:13) and Kathleen Dunn (19:25). Westlake’s Nicki Ghazarian was ninth in 19:06.
Qualifying as an individual was Ventura’s Hannah Kirkegaard, who was fifth in her race in 18:31.
Agoura and Oak Park were second and third, respectively, in their heats to qualify in Division III girls.
Only 46 seconds separated Agoura’s top five runners, led by Kelsie Garrison (19:27). Kaycee Holcomb of Oak Park was fifth in 19:05.
La Reina placed Alyssa Frank (19:54), Krista Andreassen (19:59) and Bailey Rohlfing (20:04) in the top 10. Oaks Christian qualified fifth, led by Megan Huning (20:44).
Thacher was second in Division V girls. Melanie Reimer (19:30) led a parade of four top-15 finishers for the Toads.
Buena placed sixth in its Division I girls’ heat and did not advance. Neither did Pacifica, which was 14th.
