Transfer Bolsters a Strong Cast : Kite’s Arrival Fuels Optimism of Camarillo Cross-Country Team

Derek Kite is unlikely to become the top cross-country runner at Camarillo High this season, but when he enrolled Wednesday at the Marmonte League school, he greatly improved the Scorpions’ chances of winning the Southern Section 4-A Division title.

Kite, a senior, is expected to move with his parents from Agoura to Camarillo next week.

After finishing 10th in the 2-A championships last season, Kite was expected to be Agoura’s No. 2 runner this season behind Bryan Dameworth.

“We’re just really lucky to get him,” Camarillo Coach Mike Smith said. “He’ll make us stronger. There’s no question about it.”

While Kite’s transfer hurts Agoura, it provides the Scorpions with an imposing foursome of Abe Valdez, Shawn Goetzinger, Chad Malesich and Kite.

All four runners have bettered 16 minutes on Mt. San Antonio College’s challenging three-mile course--where the Southern Section championships are held--and Valdez, Goetzinger and Malesich had fine track seasons as well.

Goetzinger, eighth in last year’s 4-A cross-country meet, has a best of 15 minutes, 26 seconds at Mt. SAC, followed by Valdez (15:31), Kite (15:55) and Malesich (15:58).

Valdez, who transferred to Camarillo after his freshman season at Rio Mesa, ran 9:07 in the 3,200 meters and placed seventh in the state track and field championships in June.

Malesich won the Ventura County title in the 800 and has bests of 1:57.82 in that event and 4:21.06 in the 1,600. Goetzinger has run 4:22.18 in the 1,600 and 9:31.2 in the 3,200.

“If we can get one other kid close to 16, we should have a very, very good team,” Smith said. “We should be tough to beat.”

The addition of Kite more than compensates for the loss of former fourth man Joel Gonzalez, who was declared ineligible this season because he is 19 years old. California Interscholastic Federation rules state that a student who has reached age 19 before Sept. 1 is ineligible for athletic competition. Gonzalez turned 19 on July 7.

“Losing Joel hurt, but getting Derek really helps,” said Smith, who is entering his eighth season at Camarillo.

After the loss of Gonzalez, Malesich said that the Scorpions’ chances of winning the 4-A title were in question. He’s changed that prediction with Kite’s arrival.

“I’m really excited,” he said.

Dana Hills edged Camarillo, 86-90, for the 4-A title last season after the Scorpions had placed third in 1986 and ’87.

Dana Hills also won the state Division I title in Fresno, where Camarillo finished fourth for the second consecutive season.