High School Cross-Country : Gastelum Taking Aim at City Championship

Birmingham High’s Brian Gastelum, the defending Valley Pac-8 Conference cross-country champion, staked a claim to this year’s City title by posting the fastest time of the day in winning his race at the All-City Conference Classic on Thursday at Pierce College.

Gastelum, a senior, clocked 15 minutes, 28 seconds over the three-mile course, which was rerouted because races conflicted with Pierce football practice. Bobby Wiley of Monroe finished second in the Valley Pac-8 Conference race in 16:06.

San Fernando’s Obed Aguirre, fourth in the 1988 City final and the second-fastest returnee from last year’s City meet, timed 15:31 to win the Northwest Valley Conference race ahead of the Taft duo of Brian Godsey (second in 16:10) and Kipp Ortenburger (third in 16:11).

Cheri-Lee Segal of Birmingham stormed past North Hollywood’s Rosa Melendez with 250 meters left to take the Valley Pac-8 Conference girls’ race in 20:41. Melendez clocked 20:57.