Girls’ Cross-Country Preview: Despite change, Flintridge Prep motors ahead
Though there are only three schools, the aspirations for the Flintridge Prep, La Cañada High and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy cross-country teams are boundless though each squad endured very different 2016 seasons.
No area team — boys or girls — shined brighter than the Flintridge Prep girls’ team last season in what was truly an amazing 2016 campaign.
The Rebels upended archrival Mayfield Senior for the Prep League championship, blasted Pacifica Christian for the CIF Southern Section Division V crown and lastly toppled Francis Parker, 51-170, for the CIF State Division V title at Woodward Park in Fresno. The Rebels’ team time of 95 minutes, 16 seconds set a record for Division V, while the margin of victory was the greatest at the state level for any girls’ team across any division.
Since that fateful day in November, the Rebels have undergone many changes with the graduation of Oklahoma University-bound Natalie O’Brien and senior Maia Cohen along with the retirement of co-coach Mike Roffina.
Even the team’s remaining co-coach Jill Riehl will be missing from the sidelines as she welcomed a child in August and is out indefinitely.
The good news is that Flintridge Prep returns five of seven runners from last year, led by senior Sophie Gitlin, who finished 10th at state last season. Gitlin is one of two seniors back along with Gabriela Bennett. Among the juniors, league champion Sasha Codiga returns along with Jenna Mijares and Caroline Wreszin.
Other runners looking to break through include juniors Haley Allen and Hope Codiga.
While Riehl is out, assistant coach Beth Pattinelli (mother of boys’ standout Evan Pattinelli) is in charge and doesn’t anticipate any bumps heading into the season.
“We’re only as strong as our weakest runners,” Pattinelli said. “The girls are really motivated by each other and when one girl has a race less than what she hoped for, there’s another girl right there that she’s encouraging to pass her right by. The girls do care about each other doing well and the success of the team comes from their support of each other.”
Slightly down the block at La Cañada, expectations and excitement are sky high.
The Spartans picked up their fifth Rio Hondo League title in six seasons last year and advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV Championship at Riverside Cross-Country Course.
Unfortunately for the fSpartans, they had a hiccup and placed eighth in their division and missed the CIF State meet by one spot.
“I think that result made this team want to get to state even more this year,” La Cañada coach Nick LaCapria said. “We expected to make it to state, it didn’t happen and most of the talent from that team is back. They want it this year. They won’t be lacking motivation.”
La Cañada returns six of its seven from last season’s eighth-place finish, including the one-two punch of junior Adena DiPaolo and sophomore Sarah Arthur.
DiPaolo captured the league crown last year, while Arthur was third. This year’s squad will feature two champions as senior Katie Scoville (league titlist in 2014 and 2015) is back.
Scoville was hampered last season with injuries and never regained her footing after winning a Division IV championship in 2015.
LaCapria has also been impressed with freshman Ellaney Matarese, who will round out the Spartans’ top four runners.
Up the hill at Flintridge Sacred Heart, the numbers have risen to around 35 for coach Kirk Nishiyama’s program.
Last season, the Tologs took their lumps to the tune of finishing fifth in the revamped and even tougher Mission League.
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that last year’s FSHA squad was young, as six of seven runners are back.
“What’s nice this year is that we’re deeper than we’ve been in a few years,” Nishiyama said. “We have a pool of about 12 girls who will compete for varsity. A bonus from that is that will make us more competitive, as well.”
Junior Samantha Covey finished 10th at league finals and returns as does senior Bobbie Byrne and sophomore Lauren Nettels, who Nishiyama believes can compete for the team’s top spot.
Freshman Joshlyn Aguirre is a newcomer to watch.
Twitter: @campadresports
