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Falcons fly to top of league picture

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BURBANK — There was one question the Pacific League coaches wanted answered from Crescenta Valley High Coach John Pehar after Wednesday’s league meet.

“Where did you guys come from?” was the one directed to Pehar after his team finished second in a four-team meet with a total score of 390, which was eight strokes behind Arcadia High at De Bell Golf Club.

“It’s been a slow improvement, I wouldn’t say they’re all of a sudden getting stronger, but they’ve improved better than other teams,” Pehar said. “We’ve made a big jump but it’s been over a few weeks. It’s been a jump in scores, but it’s been a slow process. It hasn’t just happened over night.”

Burbank took third (417) and Burroughs placed fourth (439).

The Falcons were led by Andrew Cho, who tied Arcadia’s Kevin Chen for medalist honors with a two-over-par 73 through 18 holes.

De Bell doesn’t suit Cho, but he was able to shoot low with a solid putting and chipping performance.

“It doesn’t really match my strengths at all,” said Cho, who had three birdies on the back nine. “I actually like long courses better where you can use your driver on every tee, instead of having to lay up a lot. I wouldn’t want to play this course too many more times in matches.”

It was the senior’s second time ever earning medalist honors and the first time in league play after he was the low scorer in a 203-209 victory over La Cañada on April 18.

Adrian Chia carded a 75 for CV (12-10, 9-5 in league), while Paul Park and Pat Kallas finished with a 79 and 80, respectively, which was a personal best for Kallas.

Michael Rinder also turned in a personal best score of 83 on the course for Crescenta Valley, which now shifts its focus to league prelims at Santa Anita Golf Course on Tuesday.

“I feel good being able to put six players out there who play well together for the first time this year,” Pehar said. “It’s a big confidence booster for [them]. I think they will do well [in league prelims]. Arcadia is going to be strong at Santa Anita, but we can make a good showing.”

Sammy Do and Kent Asano were the only two players from Glendale High to play through Wednesday, as they carded an 86 and 87, respectively.

andrew.shortall@latimes.com

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