One through five, nobody can touch the Anzar Hawks, at least not
at the Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships.
Belmont
One through five, nobody can touch the Anzar Hawks, at least not at the Central Coast Section Cross Country Championships.
And they’ll get to test just how strong they are – one through five, of course – at next week’s state meet.
The Hawks were crowned Division I champions for the first time in school history at Crystal Springs in Belmont last weekend, despite a Redwood Christian team that had three runners in the top five – three runners that crossed the finish line before a single Anzar harrier.
In the end, it still wasn’t enough.
The Hawks compiled a D-I low of 72 points while Redwood Christian recorded 83 points, good enough for second.
“They had three runners on us before our first came in,” coach Doug MacKinnon said. “But we packed it in there pretty tight … I was happy to see the results.”
After Redwood Christian runners Josh McDonald, Alex Mattson and Wayne Smith finished in first, third and fifth, respectively – totaling nine points – Anzar’s Aaron Hsia-Coron finished in seventh (17:14), Miles MacKinnon took eighth (17:19) and Colin Parsons finished 10th (17:27).
Coach MacKinnon said all his runners posted personal bests, and what better time to do it. With the top placing, Anzar advances to the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 24.
“Redwood Christian was stronger than I anticipated,” MacKinnon said. “But our strength is in our team chemistry. We ultimately came in a tight pack and that’s what won it.”
Anzar’s Alex Sanchez and Isreal Parra finished in 23rd and 24th, respectively, as both clocked times of 18:29, while Christian Heath came in 27th (18:32) and Adam Wilkenson crossed in 35th (19:27).
Redwood Christian’s fourth and fifth runners finished in 36th and 38th overall.
The Hawks accomplished the feat on one of the most difficult courses to run, Crystal Springs, with its mammoth downhill at the very beginning of the race. After the start, though, the course angles uphill for the remainder of the race.
“It’s one of the hardest courses. It tires you out,” Hsia-Coron said afterward. The Anzar harrier added that while Gavilan is equally as difficult, the competition of a section meet is unmatched.
“You can’t slow down,” added Miles MacKinnon of the downhill start. “You can’t slow down, or everyone is going to run you over.”
Anzar’s Naomi Frenzel finished 37th overall Saturday, recording a 25:07.
As for capturing the first-ever CCS championship for Anzar, Hsia-Coron and MacKinnon were rather humble.
“It’s cool,” Hsia-Coron said.
Added MacKinnon, “It’s nice.”
