HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY : CITY SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Upstart Birmingham to Challenge More Experienced Belmont, Bell

Belmont High, which has won eight of the past nine City Section boys’ cross-country championships, will be among the favorites along with Bell and Birmingham in today’s City finals at Pierce College.

Bell has defeated Belmont twice during the season and Birmingham edged Bell, 54-55, in last week’s preliminaries, but Belmont Coach Gordon Weisenberger believes the Sentinels’ past success might be the difference.

“I think we’re going to win it because we have been through it so many times before,” Weisenberger said.

Alvaro Mejia of Birmingham is among the contenders for the individual title along with Avo Artinyan of Van Nuys, but Birmingham Coach Scott King believes his team is the underdog.

“Bell and Belmont didn’t consider us a threat until last week, but I think we’ve woken up both of those schools,” King said. “They always run their best races at City finals. Realistically, we’re the third team.”

The Belmont girls will be favored to win their third consecutive title. Defending champion Robin Snowbeck of University, Jennie Armenta of Kennedy and Patty Trejo of Belmont are among the top individuals.

Competition will begin at 10 a.m. The top two boys’ teams and the top two girls’ teams will qualify for the state meet Nov. 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno.