All-Area Boys’ Cross-Country Team
Kyle Bueckert, Senior, Maranatha
The Pasadena-area’s No. 2 runner placed 21st (16:21) at the CIF State Division IV Meet at Woodward Park. Previously, Bueckert was third (14:40) at the CIF Southern Section Division IV championships at Mt. San Antonio College, while winning the Olympic League championship (15:57.5) at Fullerton’s Craig Park and leading his squad to a team title. Bueckert also won the Bellarmine-Jefferson Blue Division race (15:10.55), was fourth (15:26) at the San Gabriel Valley Championships and 10th (15:14) at the Great Cow Run.
Gabe Collison, Junior, Crescenta Valley
Falcons’ top runner finished 13th (15:30) in Division I at the CIF State Meet at Fresno’s Woodward Park a week after taking ninth (14:18) in the CIF Southern Section Division I championships on the rain course of Mt. San Antonio College. Collison was third (15:35.28) at the Pacific League finals, with his top place within league coming when he was runner-up (15:54) at the league’s first meet. Collison also took silver at the Mt. SAC Invitational Division I blue race (15:12) and bronze (15:32) at the Clovis Division I race.
Aaron Esparza, Senior, Crescenta Valley
Was the Falcons’ No. 2 runner at the CIF Southern Section Division I finals in placing 37th (14:43). Took ninth (16:04.90) at the Pacific League finals with his best finish in league (seventh, 16:08) coming at the first league meet. Esparza also was 10th (15:44) in the Mt. SAC Invitational Division I blue race and was 13th (15:55) at the Division I Clovis Meet.
Paul Messana, Senior, South Pasadena
Senior had an agonizing day at the CIF Southern Section Division III Finals in which he finished 18th in 14:46 and missed a state at-large berth by a second. Previous to the divisional finals, Messana clinched a Rio Hondo League championship at Lacy Park in a time of 16:18 in helping the Tigers win a team title. Was also 11th (15:46) in the Division III Mt. San Antonio College Invitational race and 14th (15:38) at the Dana Hills Invitational.
Paul Wilson, Junior, South Pasadena
The Tigers’ No. 2 runner capped his season by finishing 21st (14:48) at the CIF Southern Section Division III Finals at Mt. San Antonio College. Two weeks earlier, Wilson earned the title of league runner-up after taking silver (16:19) at the Rio Hondo League championships at Lacy Park as South Pasadena won a team title. Wilson also shined in other meets, taking 15th (15:49) in the Division III Team Sweepstakes at the Mt. SAC Invite and 19th (16:06) at Clovis.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ingrid Herskind, Flintridge Prep
In her 17th season, guided the Rebels to a runner-up finish in CIF State Division V race and second place at the CIF Southern Section Division V championships. Also led Prep to its 21st Prep League title in 22 years, with Aaron Sugimoto claiming the individual crown.