THE PREPS : Cross-Country Roundup : Nava Paces Santa Ana’s Key Victory

A strong team effort boosted Santa Ana High School’s boys’ cross-country team to a 27-30 victory over El Modena Thursday in a Century League dual meet at Irvine Park in Orange.

Santa Ana senior Roger Nava won the race, finishing the mostly flat, paved 3-mile course in 14 minutes 52.9 seconds. Joe Komarinski of El Modena challenged Nava until the final 200-yard straightaway, where Nava outkicked him to the finish.

“I knew he was the guy I had to beat,” Nava said. “I had a real bad race last week (he finished fifth in a dual meet against Villa Park) and I didn’t want to do that again. I knew another mistake could cost us a championship.”

With the victory, the Saints (3-0), ranked sixth in the Southern Section 4-A, take sole possession of first place in the Century League. El Modena, ranked 10th in 4-A, is 2-1 in league competition.

Along with Nava, Santa Ana received strong performances from Luis Alvarado (third in 15:10); Frank Quionez (sixth, 15:27); Abe Perez (eighth, 15:33) and Oscar Mondragon (ninth, 15:42).

Komarinski placed second in 14:55. Filling out the Vanguards’ top five were: Joe Sargona (fourth, 15:16); Jonathan Stiles (fifth, 15:17); sophomore Michael Terry (seventh, 15:30) and John Coxford (12th, 15:51).

In other Century League competition:

Canyon 27, Santa Ana Valley 28--Jimmy Rodriguez of Santa Ana Valley set a course record in 14:35, but Canyon’s depth prevailed at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Both teams are 1-2 in league.

Angelus League boys:

Servite 23, Bishop Amat 35--Mark Martinez ran 16:47 at Clark Regional Park in Buena Park to lead Servite (2-1).

Empire League boys:

Esperanza 28, Katella 29--Brian Hild finished second in 15:35 to lead Esperanza (3-0). Jim Thornton won in 15:27 for Katella (2-1).

South Coast League boys:

Dana Hills 20, Mission Viejo 37--Mike Tansley ran 16:00 at Niguel Regional Park to lead Dana Hills (7-0, 5-0).

San Clemente 27, Capistrano Valley 28--Mike Farrell ran a record 15:18 at San Clemente High School to lead the Tritons.

Sunset League boys:

Westminster 26, Marina 29--Brian McCaffery of Marina won in 16:10..

Angelus League girls:

Mater Dei 15, Rosary 50--Jaymie Campbell finished first in 21:40 to lead Mater Dei (5-0, 3-0) at Irvine Park.

Century League girls:

El Modena 26, Santa Ana 29--Santa Ana’s Astrid Zavaleta won in 18:44, but the Saints did not have enough depth.

Santa Ana Valley 27, Canyon 29--Teresa Belgran finished first in 18:19 to lead Santa Ana Valley (3-0) at Centennial Park.

Empire League girls:

Cypress 15, Loara 50--Staci Carrinton won the 3-mile race in 20:44 and Joanne Cox was second in 20:46 for visiting Cypress.

Esperanza 25 Katella 32--Julie Gilbert finished second to lead Esperanza at Katella. Martha Pinto finished first in 19:26 for Katella (2-1).

South Coast League girls:

San Clemente 15, Capistrano Valley 50--Terri Smythers ran 19:09 to win for San Clemente at home.

Sunset League girls:

Huntington Beach 22, Edison 32--Natalie Adam finished in 18:40 to lead Huntington Beach (3-0) at Central Park in Huntington Beach.