Despite changes, Flintridge Prep cross-country comes out on top
PALOS VERDES — Whether on the boys’ or girls’ side, the Flintridge Prep cross-country program stepped up in different ways at Tuesday afternoon’s first Prep League meet of the season.
The Rebel girls picked up some revenge against rival Mayfield Senior School, winning, 25-34, while the new-look boys held off upstart Pasadena Poly, 19-39, at Palos Verdes Cross Country Course.
“It’s funny because the boys were a little disappointed with their effort, but if you look at it, this is a whole new crew,” Flintridge Prep boys’ Coach Ingrid Herskind said. “We have a couple of old guys from last year, but their roles are different. Then we have other guys who are adjusting to varsity, so I’m happy with the results.”
Last season, the Rebels were perfect against Poly, defeating the Panthers, 15-61, in the league’s first meet at Crescenta Valley Park on Sept. 24. That was followed by a 15-58 drubbing at Pierce College on Oct. 31 at the league finals, which clinched Flintridge Prep its 23rd league crown in 24 years.
Tuesday marked the Rebels’ first league race since the graduation of the squad’s dynamic one-two punch of All-Area Boys’ Cross-Country Runner of the Year Jack Van Scoter (Georgetown University) and No. 2 runner Nikhil Poole (Caltech).
Junior Evan Pattinelli, who finished second at last year’s league finals, broke away midway through Chadwick’s hilly home course and took the victory in 17 minutes, 10.41 seconds.
“There were plenty of hills to work on, plenty,” Pattinelli said, “but I like the teamwork out there. I know we don’t have Jack and Nikhil, so it’s a different team for sure, but I like how we filled in the gaps. Up front, we were just trying to stay together and do our best.”
Flintridge Prep crossed its five scorers through the first six positions with Pasadena Poly’s Xian Shively crashing the party by taking second in 17:34.15 before collapsing at the finish.
The Rebels’ Riley Coan (17:57.25), Sebastian Evans (18:15.38), Christopher Tan (18:32.41) and Carson Hasbrouck (18:38.03) took third through six, respectively, just ahead of Chadwick’s Frank Glantz (seventh, 18:42.03).
As for the girls, some of the luster from the race was lost as each team’s top runner did not compete. Flintridge Prep’s Natalie O’Brien and Mayfield’s McKenna Smith, a La Cañada Flintridge resident, were both out due to illness.
Last season, O’Brien finished second in league and Smith was third as the Cubs defeated the Rebels, 23-37, for the league title at Pierce College.
Fast forward to Tuesday and Rebels runner Sophie Gitlin certainly picked up the slack.
The junior took an eight-second lead at the mile marker and never looked back in running to victory in 21:05.96.
“It was definitely hard and humid out on this course, but it was also really fun,” Gitlin said. “Without Natalie, we still have to do our thing and run our best. We missed her and she kind of holds this team together, but we still know what we’re doing and we all work together no matter what.”
Flintridge Prep crossed its first four runners before anyone else as Sasha Codiga (21:29.75), Maia Cohen (21:49.53) and Jenna Mijares (21:53.38) placed second through fourth. Senior Marissa Langley was the Rebels’ last scorer and took 15th in 23:56.56.
“We have a lot of work to do, but I think it was a good day for varsity racing,” Rebels girls’ co-Coach Mike Roffina said. “We weren’t racing a couple of runners today who were under the weather, but even so, we have a long way to go.”
Mayfield crossed its scoring five first, led by sixth-place Sidney Hendrick (22:32.43).
Poly’s Sophie Schliefer took fifth (21:55.90) for the Panthers, who placed third with 60 points.
“While Nat keeps the team focused, I also think that Sophie has taken on a leadership position,” Flintridge Prep girls co-Coach Jill Riehl said. “I think it’s nice to have great varsity leadership. You saw that today with Sasha, Maia and Jenna. Even Marissa came through at the end.”
