All-Area Boys’ Cross-Country Team
Jagdeep Chahal, Junior, Burroughs
Was one of the Pacific League co-champion Indians’ most valuable runners. Chahal won the junior race at the 32nd annual Rosemead Invitational on Sept. 10 in a time of 14:49.2. The junior also took sixth (14:53) at the Great Cow Run and eighth (15:51.4) at the Mt. Carmel/Movin Shoes Invitational. Chahal took seventh (16:00.7) at the Pacific League finals and 32nd (15:15.10) at the CIF Southern Section Division I championship.
Alexander Hirsch, Junior, Burroughs
Though he missed the early portion of the season, the junior still turned in an outstanding effort. Hirsch’s pinnacle moment may have come at the 69th annual Mt. San Antonio College Invitational when he won the Division I&II Team Sweepstakes in 15:05. He finished second in all three Pacific League meets, including at the finals in 15:34.7. Hirsch just missed the cut to the CIF State Meet after taking 18th at the CIF Southern Section Division I finals in 15:05.4.
Evan Pattinelli, Junior, Flintridge Prep
There was uncertainty as to who would take over the Rebels’ top spot after the graduation of All-Area Boys’ Runner of the Year Jack Van Scoter. Pattinelli gladly obliged. The junior won the Division IV race (15:47.2) at the Clovis Invitational, was second at the Palos Verdes Invitational (10:11.7) and third at the Mt. SAC Division V Team Championship race (15:38). Pattinelli captured the Prep League championship (15:42.1) at Pierce College and the CIF Southern Section Division V title (15:10.8) at Riverside City Cross-Country Course. Pattinelli then finished second at the CIF State Division V finals in 15:39.3.
Manan Vats, Sophomore, Crescenta Valley
While Colin FitzGerald was a known commodity, Vats stepped up to become a clutch performer for the Falcons. The sophomore finished second (16:01.6) at the Billy York Invitational in buoying the Falcons to a team win. Vats was the Falcons’ No. 2 runner at the Pacific League finals and took eighth (16:07.3), while he finished 39th (15:18.2) at the CIF Southern Section Division I championship.
Timothy Wells, Senior, Burroughs
Improving as the season progressed, Wells captured the senior race at the 32nd annual Rosemead Invitational in 14:34.6, was fifth (15:39.7) at the Mt. Carmel/Movin Shoes Invitational and eighth (14:55.6) at the Great Cow Run. Wells placed fifth (15:54.5) at the Pacific League finals and 25th (15:09.9) at the CIF Southern Section Division I finals.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Nick LaCapria, La Cañada
Lacking a true star, LaCapria guided the Spartans to unexpected heights. La Cañada posted its best finish in the Rio Hondo League in seven years by taking second place. The Spartans also took the final qualifying spot out of the CIF Southern Section Division IV prelims to advance to the Division IV finals for the first time since 2009. La Cañada was the only area qualifier to the CIF-SS finals without a league champion or runner-up.