Buena Set for Another Run at 4-A Cross-Country Title

After claiming four invitational titles and clinching its seventh consecutive Channel League crown, the Buena High girls’ cross-country team will begin its quest for an elusive Southern Section 4-A Division championship when the division preliminaries begin Nov. 11 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

In Coach Steve Blum’s seven years at the school, Buena placed third in the 4-A final in 1983; second in ‘84; sixth in ‘85; and eighth three years ago.

This year Buena, ranked second in the 4-A, could challenge two-time defending champion Palos Verdes for the team title.

“We like our chances,” Blum said. “That’s what we’re looking for, but so are other people.

“We haven’t really even seen Palos Verdes, so we can’t really compare ourselves to them.”

Though the Bulldogs won the Kiwanis-Seaside, Paramount Ranch, Millikan and Fountain Valley invitationals, placed second in the Clovis Invitational in Fresno and the Ventura County championships, and finished third in the Mt. SAC invitational, Blum said that he likes where his team is ranked.

“I wouldn’t want to be No. 1,” he said. “It kind of puts pressure on you to win. I hope they don’t move us up.”

The Bulldogs, winners of 51 consecutive league dual meets, are deep. Their closest Channel League competition this year was a 15-48 win over Ventura.

Karen Hinkle and Fanya Bryant have been alternating in the No. 1 and 2 positions through much of the season with four others vying for the remaining three scoring spots.

“We’re pretty much six deep,” Blum said. “If somebody is a little bit off, someone else will rise to the occasion.”

Buena has the Channel League title and a berth in the 4-A preliminaries locked up, but Channel Islands, which finished 6-0 in Marmonte League dual meets, must place in the top three at the league championships Friday to assure itself of a berth in postseason competition.

And the Raiders, ranked fifth in the 4-A, must win the league finals to claim their second consecutive league crown.

“Jeanine Rothman (of Westlake) and (Camarillo’s) Katie Meyer should be the first two finishers,” Channel Islands Coach Debbie Blum said. “After that, I hope a whole bunch of CI kids come in.

“We’re not taking anything lightly. We’re very serious about this.”