Southland Contingent Ready for State Finals

Valerie Flores of San Pedro High placed sixth in Division I at last year’s state cross-country meet, the highest finish in history by a City Section girl.

Flores, a senior, has a shot at an even greater distinction Saturday at the state finals at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Flores is one of the top contenders for the championship.

Last week, the UCLA-bound Flores ran a course-record 17 minutes 13 seconds at Pierce College to win her second consecutive City title and help San Pedro win its first girls’ championship.

Anita Siraki of Glendale Hoover, the Southern Section girls’ Division I champion, is regarded as the favorite in the state Division I race.

The City champion Belmont boys’ team, including individual titlist Humberto Vargas, will represent the section along with Monroe.

Chino Don Lugo, which won its first Southern Section boys’ championship last week at Mt. San Antonio College, is one of the favorites in the Division I race. The Conquistadores are led by Arturo Garcia, who finished third in Division I at last week’s Southern Section championships.

Two-time defending state champion Long Beach Poly, which finished second in the Southern Section meet, could also be a factor.

Ozzie Pina of Lakewood, who ran the fastest time at the Southern Section meet, will contend for the individual state title.

Most of the top finishers Saturday will participate in the West regional meet that will be run Dec. 4 at Mt. SAC. The top eight eight individuals in that meet advance to the national championships Dec. 11 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

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The City football semifinals will be played Dec. 3 at neutral sites with the championship games Dec. 10 at the Coliseum.

The Invitational championship game will begin at 5 p.m.

The City championship will start at 8.

Both games will be broadcast live by KLCS-TV.