All-Area Girls’ Cross-Country Team
Sasha Codiga, Sophomore, Flintridge Prep
It was a coming out party for Codiga, who finished second (17:35.3) in the sophomore race at the 32nd annual Rosemead Invitational, fifth (18:49) at the Mt. SAC Invitational Division V Team Sweepstakes and sixth (18:51.8) in the Division V race at the 43rd annual Stanford Invitational. Codiga turned in a stunner when she won the Prep League title in 17:44.7 at Pierce College before she finished third (17:59.4) at the CIF Southern Section Division V championship and 13th (18:51.1) at the CIF State Division V final.
Gabby Collins, Senior, Burbank
Turned in several strong efforts this season as the Bulldogs’ top runner as she showed massive improvement from her junior season. Collins took fourth (19:07) in the Mt. SAC Division I yellow race, fifth (18:22.9) in the Rosemead Invitational senior race, 13th (19:57.09) at the Kenny Staub Invitational, 20th (18:48) at the Woodbridge Invitational Division I Blue Race and 20th (19:09.5) at the Clovis Invitational Division I race. Collins’ last race saw her finish fifth at the Pacific League finals in 19:15.2, as she was the only runner aside from Burroughs’ Emily Virtue to break up league champion Arcadia’s monopoly on the top spots.
Adena DiPaolo, Sophomore, La Cañada
Stepped into the role of the Spartans’ top runner after an injury to Katie Scoville. DiPaolo finished fourth in the white race at the Woodbridge Invitational and ninth (19:49.2) at the Kenny Staub Invitational. The sophomore captured the Rio Hondo League championship in 19:26.8 to lead the Spartans to a title. DiPaolo and the Spartans advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV finals, where she finished 20th (18:16.5).
Sophie Gitlin, Junior, Flintridge Prep
Was perhaps the Rebels’ most consistent runner, as she won the Rosemead Invitational Small School’s junior race in 17:12.4, took second (18:21.50) at the Stanford Invitational Division V race, third (18:37) at the Mt. SAC Division V Sweepstakes race and third (18:12.4) at the Prep League finals. Gitlin finished sixth (18:14) in the CIF Southern Section Division V championship and 10th (18:45.2) in the CIF State Division V final.
Natalie O’Brien, Senior, Flintridge Prep
Despite injuries and inconsistencies, the University of Oklahoma-bound runner stepped up when her team needed her the most. O’Brien won the Rosemead Invitational Small School senior race in 17:32.5, took fifth (18:50.10) at the Stanford Invitational Division V race and eighth (19:42.5) in the Clovis Division IV race. O’Brien was fourth (18:19.6) at the Prep League finals, second (17:44.8) at the CIF Southern Section Division V finals and 15th (18:57.3) at the CIF State Division V championship.
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Mike Roffina and Jill Riehl, Flintridge Prep
The Rebels duo paced its team to likely the greatest season in school history. Flintridge Prep won the triple crown: Prep League title, CIF Southern Section Division V title and CIF State Division V championship. The Rebels were most dominant at Fresno’s Woodward Park in the state finals on Nov. 26. The team’s 51-170 victory over Francis Parker marked the biggest margin of victory in girls’ cross-country state finals history, while the Rebels’ team time of 95:16 set a Division V record.