Burbank runners do well in invitational

Jeff Tully

The Burbank High boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams not only got to

run against top teams Saturday at the Clovis Invitational in Fresno,

but the athletes competed on the same 5,000-meter Woodward Park

course that will host the CIF-State Cross-Country Championship in

November.

Against some of the state’s best teams, the Bulldog girls had an

outstanding performance, finishing sixth out of 29 schools in the

varsity large schools race.

Michelle Horgan finished 14th in 19 minutes 54 seconds and Nelly

Shamirian was 25th in 20:11. The other scorers were: Melissa Edwards

(32nd; 20:33), Allison Ivie (67th; 21:32), and Emily Ambrose (75th;

21:45).

The boys had to compete without two of their runners, who were

taking tests. However, the Bulldogs still managed to finish 11th out

of 31 schools due to strong performances by Preston Richardson

(fourth; 16:23), and Ryan Christoffersen (fifth; 16:28).

The other scorers were: Aram Sahagian (56th; 17:32), Eric

Christoffersen (91st; 18:07), and Jason Holm (106th; 18:20).

Bell-Jeff alums get chance to serve: Former Bellarmine-Jefferson

High girls’ volleyball players will return to the school Friday to

compete in the program’s annual alumni match.

The 7 p.m. contest will pit the 2003 varsity squad against a team

of Guard graduates, which includes Bell-Jeff Coach Gloria Arancibia.

Admission is free and pizza and soft drinks will be provided at no

charge. There will also be free giveaways, door prizes and a serving

contest.

For more information, call Arancibia at 915-2298.

Guards continue to climb in rankings: The Bellarmine- Jefferson

High football team is enjoying a steady climb up the CIF Southern

Section Division XII rankings.

With a 6-0 record -- one win coming by forfeit -- the Guards hold

down the No. 4 spot in this week’s rankings.

Bell-Jeff opens Santa Fe League play at 2 p.m. Saturday against

L.A. Daniel Murphy at Burroughs’ Memorial Field.

Although Burbank (4-1) and Burroughs (3-2) aren’t ranked, the

Bulldogs and the Indians got some respect as they are mentioned among

the “Others” in Division III.