Flintridge Prep, Van Scoter collect titles at CIF cross-country finals

Whether on the boys’ or girls’ side of things, Flintridge Prep cross-country domination within the realm of CIF Southern Section Division V has almost become expected.

La Cañada High’s Katie Scoville’s ascension past just being a Rio Hondo League standout to a Division IV frontrunner was also expected. But becoming a CIF champion, on the other hand, wasn’t something most prognosticated.

PHOTOS: Local shine at CIF Cross-Country Finals

Whether predicted or not, it didn’t really matter Saturday morning at the CIF Southern Section Cross-Country Championships, as a banner day was had.

Flintridge Prep’s boys’ cross-country team claimed the Division V championship, led by senior Jack Van Scoter repeating as the division’s individual champion, with the Rebels’ girls’ team three-peating with their latest division crown and Scoville starting off the day with a run to an individual title. Crescenta Valley’s Colin also qualified to Fresno as an individual.

Scoville stood at the finish line at the CIF Southern Section Division IV finals in disbelief.

The La Cañada sophomore experienced the thrill of winning an individual title for the first time.

Scoville clocked 17 minutes, 53.6 seconds to win on the 2.93-mile course, giving the Spartans their first individual champion since 1998.

“It feels crazy and unreal,” said Scoville, who placed eighth last year. “I didn’t realize I was in the lead until the last 200 meters. I was in the lead and I didn’t want to blow it.”

Scoville was the only Division IV girls’ runner to finish under 18 minutes, as Malibu’s Claudia Lane came in second (18:14.6) and Marlborough’s Bianca Alonzo was third (18:16.3).

La Cañada placed 12th as a team with 254 points and failed to earn a team berth for the state finals next Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno.

“I’m sad the team won’t be going to state,” said Scoville, who automatically received one of the division’s individual qualifying spots for the second straight season. “But I am happy that La Cañada will be represented in the state finals.”

Adena Dipaolo finished 33rd (19:40.6) and Kallie Rushing was 59th (20:11.2) for the Spartans.

The Flintridge Prep girls’ team continued its dominance in Division V, winning its third straight section title with a 24-123 win over Pacifica Christian.

The Rebels placed five runners in the top nine spots, as they swept the third through fifth positions with Sophie Gitlin (18:49.3), Sasha Codiga (18:49.4) and Natalie O’Brien (19:07.1).

“This is something we have been working toward all season long,” O’Brien said. “It’s awesome and unreal to be able to hold this championship plaque for a third year in a row.”

Jenna Mijares clocked 19:37.5 to finish eighth and Maia Cohen finished at 19:43.8 to place ninth for Flintridge Prep.

“We’ve ran this course before so we knew what we had to do and the times we needed to hit,” Cohen said. “We can enjoy this and get ready for state.”

Rolling Hills Prep freshman Mazzy Genovese won the individual title as she clocked 18:16.9.

For the Flintridge Prep boys’ team, it was a matter of checking off another item on a goal list, as the Rebels won the Division V title for the second time in three years with a 37-68 win over Desert Christian of Lancaster.

Van Scoter repeated as individual champion, as he clocked 15:12.6, giving the Rebels three straight champions after Alan Yoho began the run in 2013.

Flintridge Prep had three runners finish in the top 10.

“It feels good to be able to win the section title and to have the chance to complete the three-race sweep of winning the Prep League, the section title and a chance to win state,” Van Scoter said. “We completed the second phase of our goals. We’re pretty pleased with what we accomplished and we have a lot more to show at state.”

Evan Pattinelli placed seventh in 15:55.2 and Jonathan Vahala clocked 16:17.8 to finish 10th for the Rebels.

“The turkey will definitely taste a little sweeter knowing we won the division,” Vahala said. “We’re going to have to hold off on the pumpkin pie in preparation for state.”

Rab Moran finished 14th (16:27.4) and Nikhil Poole placed 16th (16:37.2) to round out the scoring runners for Flintridge Prep, which completed the second boys’ and girls’ title sweep in program history and second in three years.

Colin Fitzgerald clocked 15:30.2 to place 11th as Crescenta Valley’s top performer in the Division I boys’ race.

Although the Falcons missed making the cut for the state finals as they finished in ninth place with 230 points, Fitzgerald secured an individual berth to race next week.

“It’s disappointing because we came so far as a team this year,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s a big blow especially for the seniors. We ran our hearts out, but just fell short today.”

Sports Editor Grant Gordon contributed to this story.