Drossin Races Into Spotlight

It is rare when Bryan Dameworth of Agoura High shares center stage at a cross-country meet, and even more rare when he wins in impressive fashion then is shunted into the background by another runner’s performance. But that’s what happened at Friday’s Ventura County Cross-Country Championships at Moorpark College.

Dameworth was timed in 15 minutes, 45 seconds over the three-mile course to win the boys title but was overshadowed by freshman teammate Deena Drossin, who won the girls race in 17:36.

Drossin, 14, became only the third girl to break 18 minutes on the Moorpark course and her time was only 9.5 seconds shy of the course record set by Newbury Park’s Melissa Sutton in 1986.

With Drossin and freshman teammate Tiffany York finishing 1-2, Agoura won its first county title. The Chargers scored 36 points, followed by defending champion Thousand Oaks (78) and Buena (87).

Tally Rowland (8th), Cheyenne Zontelli (13th) and Stacy Kristen (15th) rounded out Agoura’s scoring runners.

Despite her near-record performance, Drossin said she wasn’t running for time.

“I don’t worry about it,” she said. “I just run at a pace that’s comfortable for me.”

While the pace was comfortable for her, it caused the runners behind her to concede defeat early.

Drossin took the lead after the first 300 yards and was never challenged. She had a lead of 16 seconds at the mile (5:37), 46 seconds at the two-mile mark (11:30) and 63 seconds at the finish.

York (18:39), Jena Haggenmiller of Thousand Oaks (18:55) and Jessica Craven of Camarillo (19:09) led the trailing pack.

Like Drossin, Dameworth surged into the lead early. Paul McCarter of Thousand Oaks and Abe Valdez of Camarillo, however, never let him get comfortable.

Dameworth’s lead was five seconds at the mile (4:55) and six seconds at two miles (10:15), but he didn’t look strong.

“I was worried after the two-mile mark,” Dameworth said. “I was hating life right about then. I felt light-headed and I remembered last year’s race when Tony Williams passed me in the last mile. I thought it might happen again.”

It didn’t.

The Agoura sophomore surged away from McCarter (15:56) and Valdez (15:57) to win by 11 seconds. Mike Esparza of Newbury Park finished fourth in 16:01.

Led by Valdez, Camarillo placed five runners in the top 15 to win its first county title with 47 points. Thousand Oaks (85), the defending champion, and Agoura (116) placed second and third.

Chad Malesich (6th in 16:06), Erik Counseller (9th in 16:15), Shawn Goetzinger (14th in 16:27) and Joel Gonzalez (15th in 16:29) rounded out the Scorpions’ top five.

Camarillo Coach Mike Smith was philosophical about the victory.

“Some guys didn’t run as well as they should have,” he said, “but it’s hard to get all seven guys to run their best times on the same day.

I’m pleased with the win.”