Freshman leads Loyola boys to Division II state team title

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The Loyola boys’ cross-country team won its third state title in the last six years Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno, totaling 72 points to defeat Petaluma (159) and Woodcreek (166). The Cubs also won a Division I state championship in 2002 and a Division II title in 2004.

‘This is a better team,’ said Frank Meza, the team’s co-coach, when asked to compare the school’s previous state champions.

Elias Gedyon, who broke the freshman course record last week at the Southern Section finals at Mt. San Antonio College, was the top finisher for Loyola, placing seventh overall on the 5,000-meter course in 15:45, the all-time third-fastest time on the course by a freshman and the fastest since 1991.

The Cubs were able to run away with the team title, despite an off-day from senior James Kostelnik, the team’s No. 1 runner who finished third for Loyola and 18th overall in 16:00.

‘I was a little tired,’ he said. ‘I didn’t get much sleep.’

Hey, I may not know what it feels like to run a 5-minute mile, but I can relate to sleep deprivation!

James Tracy of Del Campo won the individual title in 15:23. Southern Section runners, who won six of 10 individual titles last year, have won only two of eight so far. Oh well, you can’t win everything.

-- Dan Arritt