CIF-Central Coast Section

Date: Sunday, November 14, 1999 1:29 PM:

The 1999 CCS Finals were once again hosted on the infamous Crystal Springs Cross Country Course in Belmont, Ca. The 2.95 mile circuit proved to be a stiff challenge as predictions to break 15:00 did not materialize. The: Division I and II races enjoyed a cool, fall morning as the later races experienced higher temperatures putting a ding in their chances to best morning times and performances.

Neil Davis was a relatively easy winner in the Division I race in 15:13, the fastest time of the day, as he pushed away in the 2nd mile to open a large margin over super-soph Brett Gotcher (Aptos). Bellarmine Prep (24 points) was the team Champion and also posted the fastest team time of the day (79:52). Freshman Leonorra Sanchez (Aptos) battled over the last 800 meters with Senior Ashleigh Nebecker (Milpitas) to earn a section title in 18:59 vs. Nebecker's 19:01. Los Gatos won the girl's title despite losing their number #1 runner, Heather Hennessy, to muscle spasms.

In the Division II Girl's race Kristen Funk (Piedmont Hills) posted a 19:15 to easily win her first section title over a very tough frosh Ruth Graham(Gunn) as Leland nipped Gunn in the team race. Girmay Guangul (Santa Clara) was the Division II individual winner as he held on to holdoff a fast-closing Dawit Gezahgn (Del Mar) in 15:21 to 15:24. St.Ignatius was the team Champion having moved up from Division III, SI's 1st man Neil McDonagh was third and earned his 3rd straight appearance to the statemeet.

The Division III race was the last chance anyone would get to best the top time of the day, but the temp's began to rise as did the pressure to beatNeil Davis's am mark. Eric Chaves made a conserted effort as he easily won the race but had to settle with a 15:26 (5th best). Los Gatos won the Boy's race with an astounding Championship low score of 26 points (3,4,5,6,8)! The best race of the day was yet to come. Sanchez's am mark from the Girls D1 race of 18:59 had held up until the D3 Girl's race produced some awesome performances by individuals and team. Alejandra Barrientos (San Lorenzo Valley) posted one of the fastest time ever as she slowly edged away from another speedster, Lauren Gustafson (Mills) to win her first XC section title in 17:21! Gustafson's time of 17:31 is also a benchmark performance as that puts her high on the all time list as well (still researching) as both girls ran the fastest times on this course in 12 years! The SLV girls team also totalled a Championship low score of 26 points (1,4,5,6,10) and now have the 3rd fastest team time ever, 95:05!

The Division IV Girl's race always produces some great times and exciting competition as these small schools do battle. Shannon Rowbury (Sacred Heart), 19:01, made a "one step" move on 2nd placer Nicole Hodgson (Notre Dame-San Jose) with 80 meters to go to win the section crown as her teammates and her amased 36 points to easily win the team title. The Boys race was dominated by an impressive 1, 2, 3 finish by Half Moon Bay as they scored 44 to win their 3rd straight section meet. Junior, David Poulsen (HMB) outlasted teammate Chris White (White won the league championship the: week earlier) to win the CCS individual title.

The final race of the day (Division 5 opens the meet next year) had some good match ups as a once dominate York School did battle with RL Stevenson and meet favorite Menlo School to win the team title 55-63 over RLS. Tim Greenaway (Redwood Christian) was the individual winner posting a fine 16:10. Alana Levinson (Catilleja) ran 20:16 to easily win the individual title as she and her teammates matched the magic number 26 (3 teams won Championships with 26 points!) to win the section title and the solo berth to the state meet.