Chetelat, Saugus victorious in state girls’ Division I final

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Southern Section runners had won the last three Division I girls’ individual state cross-country titles, but that streak ended Saturday when Laurynne Chetelat of Davis finished first in 17:18 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Saugus kept its streak alive, however, winning its second consecutive team title with 56 points. The Centurions placed their top six runners in the top 25 overall and finished with an all-time course record of 1:30:49. Esperanza was second (126) and Trabuco Hills third (144).

With defending Division I champion Elizabeth Coe of Fountain Valley and two-time Division II state champion Kauren Tarver, pictured, of Serrano in the field, it figured to be a good battle for individual honors.

However, it was Chetelat, a senior, who led a group of six through the first mile in 5:23. Claire Collison of Crescenta Valley moved into sole possession of second place at the two-mile mark, which Chetelat crossed in 11:49.6. Collison held on for second, Tarver finished fourth and Coe was 27th.

The official results are being delivered to the media at a snail’s pace after they’re handed out to every coach, parent, announcer and volunteer, (I think a couple homeless guys got results before me), so bare with me here. I think I’ll go with raw scores until I write the roundup later.

While I was waiting for the Division I girls’ results, Aric Van Halen, son of Van Halen drummer Alex Van Halen, won the Division V boys’ race, and Riverside Woodcrest Christian won its third straight team title.

The Division I boys’ race just started at 10:05.

-- Dan Arritt