After earning their first-ever Central Coast Section Division V
title just two weeks ago, the Anzar Hawks boys cross country team
traveled south to see just where they stacked up against the
absolute best in the state.
Staff Reports
Fresno
After earning their first-ever Central Coast Section Division V title just two weeks ago, the Anzar Hawks boys cross country team traveled south to see just where they stacked up against the absolute best in the state.
Competing at the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Fresno’s Woodward Park on Saturday, the Hawks compiled 357 points and took 13th place out of 22 teams.
“I was hoping we might sneak into the top 10,” coach Doug MacKinnon said. “When I looked at the kids’ times, I think this is where we are right now, so I was pleased with how they performed.”
Freshmen Aaron Hsia-Coron led the Hawks with a 17:32 and took 41st place, while teammate Miles MacKinnon came in just behind him, clocking a 17:37 for 47th place.
Senior Colin Parsons ran his last cross country race, recording an 18:03 which was good enough to finish 59th, while Isreal Parra’s 18:29 placed him 77th overall. Senior Alex Sanchez rounded out the top five runners for Anzar, earning 91st place after a 5K time of 18:51.
Christian Heath finished 92nd overall with an 18:53, and Adam Wilkenson recorded a 19:53 and took 122nd overall.
“They all did as well or better than we had projected, so I was pleased with that,” MacKinnon said.
The D-V state champion was Woodcrest Christian, whose low of 52 earned them the top spot. Junior Jake Jeanson, also of Woodcrest, was first to cross the finish line, clocking a 16:01.
Anzar, who had narrowly edged Redwood Christian 72-83 at the D-V CCS meet, did the same at state as well. Redwood Christian compiled 344 points, and finished one spot behind the Hawks in 14th place. Thus, Anzar was once again the top team in the CCS.
MacKinnon added that it was difficult to prepare his harriers for the state meet, calling it “Woodstock for runners,” as it was the first time at state for either him or his runners.
“I think what was surprising was that all the runners were competitive,” MacKinnon said. “It was hard to pass people. No one was backing off in that race.”
MacKinnon also noted the help of assistant coach Cuko Chavez.
“The guy is just a phenomenal resource of information,” MacKinnon said. “He’s always positive and he’s been a tremendous help to our program. He deserves the recognition.”
With freshmen Hsia-Coron leading the way, the Anzar coach is seeking a return trip next year.
“I think the kids will learn from this experience,” MacKinnon said. “Hopefully, we’ll go back there and see what we can accomplish.”
