Summer race provides many reasons to participate
LA CRESCENTA – Reasons for competing in Wednesday evening’s second Crescenta Valley High cross-country summer series varied from preparation for the upcoming season to reminiscing about the past and everything in between.
Over 250 competitors took part in the two races held at Crescenta Valley Park, with the first competition a 2-kilometer run followed by a 3-mile event.
Crescenta Valley High, Burbank, Hoover, Flintridge Prep and Bellarmine-Jefferson entered locals in the joint races (boys and girls ran together), with reigning All-Area Boys’ Cross-Country Runner of the Year Colin FitzGerald standing out.
The incoming Falcons senior won his second straight 3-mile race, in which 192 runners competed, in a time of 15 minutes, 50.18 seconds.
FitzGerald was hard to miss as the shirtless runner with bushy hair built a huge lead over second- and third-place teammates Zach Johnson (16:37.75) and Manan Vats (16:38.43), all while sporting a bright, neon green headband. The head gear and a new watch were some of the equipment FitzGerald was testing out for the upcoming season.
“I was going off my watch and it gave me different splits, so I was disappointed with what I did today, but it was a good effort,” FitzGerald said. “With the head band, I like to grow my hair out in the summer, so it’s nice that I’m able to keep my hair out of my face. I’ll definitely use it during the year.”
Wednesday provided a different sort of proving group for All-Area cross-country runner Evan Patinelli of Flintridge Prep.
The defending CIF Southern Section Division V champion tested his skill against FitzGerald and the Division I Falcons and Burbank Bulldogs.
Patinelli finished fourth in a time of 16:55.28 and was pleased with his effort.
“All I was trying to do was just hang around with the CV pack because they keep it honest out there,” Patinelli said Patinelli. “This is a good course to test yourself and see where you stand, especially that second mile – it’s a beast.”
Former Glendale Community College standout and Burbank resident Elizabeth Nelson was the first female across the finish line in the three-mile race and was 30th overall in a mark of 19:32.75.
Nelson, who graduated from Cal State Northridge in May, will be assisting her mother and Burbank cross-country co-coach Kathryn Nelson this fall.
Before the start of the season, the younger Nelson was looking for one more competitive race.
“It’s always nostalgic coming back here after high school and at Glendale,” Elizabeth Nelson said. “I’m looking forward to helping the team, but I’m also here because I love running.
“I didn’t just want to graduate from college and lose all that fitness. I think coaching, though, will be a nice transition for me.”
While Elizabeth Nelson was looking to maintain the form of an NCAA Division I athlete, Hoover coach Jack Sallakian had other plans.
“I had a couple of my guys finish ahead of me, so that’s good for them and not so good for me,” said Sallakian, who posted a time of 21:18.28. “I think we’re slow at this moment, but we still have a lot of training to go. I’m a bit out of shape, honestly. I went to Florida for a family vacation, so I’m just trying to get back.”
Whether summer, spring or fall, there only appears to be one gear for reigning Camino Real League champion Caitlyn Couch of Bell-Jeff.
The incoming senior went all out and finished 46th, but was the No. 2 female behind Nelson in a time of 20:26.81. Perhaps part of Couch’s motivation was to perform well in front of several of her former Los Angeles Falcons track club teammates.
“I’m working on techniques right now that I’m going to be using during the season,” Couch said. “I like this race and running against the guys because it’s something I’ve always done. Growing up running with Colin and other Falcons boys, it was always fun and you always wanted to stay with them.”
Studio City resident Caleb Cohen captured the 2K in 7:31.97.
The incoming freshman at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame was at the opposite end of the experience spectrum and used Wednesday as a chance to put in work.
“This is only the second time I’ve been on this course and I’m trying to get ready for the fall,” Cohen said. “It seemed like a good race to do that.”
