Hartman Meets New Challenge in Royal Invitational Victory : Cross-country: Canyon senior rises to the occasion in traversing Moorpark College’s hilly course in 15 minutes 11 seconds.

Dave Hartman of Canyon High recorded speedy times on relatively flat cross-country courses the past two weeks, but Moorpark College’s hilly, three-mile course presented a tougher challenge.

With two sub-15 minute efforts under his belt already this season, Hartman timed 15 minutes 11 seconds to win the large-schools race at the Royal Invitational on Saturday.

The time is exceptional considering the difficulty of the course, but a lengthy training regimen is wearing on the Cowboy senior.

“These hills took it out of me,” Hartman said. “I’ve been putting in so much mileage that I’ve just been real tired. I’ve been popping vitamin C like crazy.”

Hartman’s fatigue became evident when he slowed to a 10-minute 8-second split at two miles after a 4:38 first mile. But Hartman proved Sept. 8 that he can handle a fast, early pace. At the Seaside Invitational in Ventura, he ran a 4:29 first mile en route to a 14:33 clocking.

Jeff Wilson of Newbury Park was second in 15:26 and Channel Islands teammates Stewart Ellington (15:27) and Fernando Mendoza (15:54) were third and fourth.

Hart, which placed three runners among the top 10, defeated archrival Canyon, 66-72, for the team title despite running without Billy Dixon, who is ineligible.

“We group real well. We always have,” Hart Coach Gene Blankenship said. “(Gavin Klinger) saved our butts.”

Klinger, a freshman, finished sixth in 16:11 to lead the Indians. Keith Grossman (16:14) and Hector Chavez (16:15) placed eighth and ninth.

In the girls’ race, Channel Islands’ Veronica Barajas challenged Jeannie Rothman of Westlake but the Warrior senior took over with about 1 1/2 miles remaining to win in 17:55. Barajas placed second in 18:14.

Rothman was trying to break the course record of 17:26 held by Agoura’s Deena Drossin but the pace dawdled early.

“I think if Deena had been here, I would have been closer because she really pushes me,” Rothman said.

Behind Barajas’ second-place finish, Channel Islands won its first invitational title, 65-67, over favored Buena. However, the Bulldogs competed without Fanya Bryant, who is injured.

Fillmore placed four runners among the top seven to handily win the small-schools boys’ title with 32 points. Nordhoff (89) and Moorpark (91) were second and third. George Barajas paced the Flashes with a 16:10 win.

Maribella Aparicio of Fillmore won the girls’ small-schools race in 18:44 and Nordhoff claimed the title with 39 points.