Dana Hills win Division I boys’ team title at state finals

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The Dana Hills boys’ cross-country team proved that last weekend’s success was no fluke, winning the Division I state title Saturday morning on the 5,000-meter course at Woodward Park in Fresno.

The Dolphins, who won a Southern Section title last Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College, took home the state title by scoring 65 points to easily defeat Murrieta Valley (132) and Vista Murrieta (144). Tyler Valdes was the top finisher for Dana Hills, placing fifth overall in 15:25.

Chris Schwartz, a junior at Bakersfield Foothill, won the overall title in 15:13, followed by Southern Section champion Riley Sullivan of Trabuco Hills (15:14) and Brett Walters of Sultana (15:21).

The leaders came through the opening mile in 4:46 and Schwartz ran the last mile in 4:48, then collapsed from exhaustion just past the finish line.

It’s beginning to warm up here, temperatures are now in the mid-50s at 11:15 a.m.

A report from the Division II girls’ race will arrive shortly. I’ll give you a hint: a runner from Woodbridge won.

-- Dan Arritt

-- Image by Robert Lyn Nelson