CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS : HIGH SCHOOLS / CITY SECTION FINALS : Mejia Birthday Win Helps Wrap Up Birmingham’s 1st State Meet Berth

Alvaro Mejia delayed his birthday party about eight hours because of the City Section cross-country finals at Pierce College.

However, the Birmingham High junior celebrated even before his party began. Mejia ran unchallenged to win the individual title Saturday morning, leading the Braves to a runner-up finish behind Bell and to their first berth in the state meet.

“My wish was to win the City championship,” said Mejia, 17, who timed 15 minutes 29 seconds over the three-mile course and became the first Birmingham champion since Kim Ellison in 1963 and ’64. “If I won, I didn’t care if I got any presents tonight.”

Bell placed three runners among the top 10 and scored 56 points, three more than Birmingham. Belmont, winner of eight of the nine previous City championships, was third with 81. The top two teams qualified for the state meet Nov. 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

“It feels so good to finally beat Belmont after so many years,” Mejia said. “I didn’t think we had a chance getting to the state meet at the beginning of the season.”

Avo Artinyan of Van Nuys and David Irias of Belmont were second and third in 15:36 and 15:41. Jose Torres (16:03), Colin Miriam (16:08), Stuart Paddle (16:15) and Leo Quintana placed 13th, 15th, 20th and 22nd to round out Birmingham’s scoring.

Belmont and Bell each had beaten Birmingham twice this season. Birmingham Coach Scott King had no thoughts of contending for a berth in the state meet until he moved Torres, a freshman, and Paddle, a sophomore, up to the varsity for last week’s preliminaries in which Birmingham defeated Bell to win its heat.

“I don’t think Bell and Belmont knew we existed until last week,” King said. “We were way back when we ran against them during the season. I told the kids we might have a chance to go to state, but I really didn’t know if I believed it myself.”

University’s Robin Snowbeck won her second consecutive girls’ title, rushing past Pattie Trejo of Belmont with less than a half-mile remaining to win by 18 seconds in 18:30. Belmont’s Alma Herrera, Auria Roberto and Yolanda Gomez placed third, fifth and sixth, respectively, as the Sentinels (25 points) won their third girls’ title in a row. San Pedro (90) was second.

Grant’s Melissa Pelote (19:22) and Kennedy’s Jennie Armenta (19:38) placed fourth and eighth to qualify for the state meet.