Sutton Favored at Kinney Cross-Country Regionals Despite Strong Field in Fresno

Melissa Sutton of Newbury Park is favored to win her 14th consecutive race at the Kinney West Reginal cross-country championships at Woodward Park in Fresno today, while Ian Alsen of Granada Hills will be the leading competitor at the City preliminaries at Pierce College.

Sutton, who finished second in the 1985 West Regionals, will be challenged by Kira Jorgensen of Vista High in San Diego, Katy McCandless of Castillega High in Palo Alto and Mary Mendoza of Presentation High in San Jose.

Christy Farrell of Thousand Oaks and sophomore Heather Scobie of Saugus could also finish in the top eight and advance to next week’s national championships at Morley Field in San Diego.

Bryan Dameworth of Agoura, Mike Esparza of Newbury Park and Bryan Gibby of Thousand Oaks will be the leading Valley-area boys competing at Fresno.

The varsity races begin at 11:30.