Wallace sisters lead Sage Creek to impressive sweepstakes victory over two-time California Division 4 state champions; Garrett Gough prevails in Division 3 boys sweepstakes race in 14:53.2, fastest time of the day

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

This victory meant a little more to the Sage Creek girls cross country team than just capturing a sweepstakes banner and ringing a cowbell at the 71st Brooks Mt. SAC Invitational.

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS

The Bobcats had waited nearly 11 months for a rematch with two-time defending California Division 4 state champion Foothill Technology following a second-place finish to the Dragons at last year’s final.

Not only did they take full advantage of the opportunity Friday in the Division 4-5 sweepstakes race in Walnut, Calif., but sisters Skyler Wallace and Stormy Wallace led Sage Creek to one of the most impressive performances by a Division 4 program in meet history.

Skyler Wallace, a junior, covered the 2.93-mile course in 17 minutes, 19.2 seconds to win the race and freshman Stormy Wallace placed fourth in 17:48.9 to lead the Bobcats to a 70-92 victory over Foothill Tech.

Sage Creek had all five scorers in the top 40, including Lavanya Pandey (19:07.1) in 13th, Natalie Huestis (19:45.9) in 22nd and Kiaya Rowlett (20:28.9) in 36th. Brooke Secreto (18:56.2) was 12th and Lauren Kearney (19:26) finished 17th for Foothill Tech.

Sage Creek became only the fourth Division 4 team in meet history to break 95 minutes, and the first since 2013, clocking 94:27 for the fastest girls performance regardless of division Friday.

Harvard-Westlake CA, with its own sister tandem of Daniela Quintero (17:44) and Natalia Quintero (17:50.8) securing second and fifth, placed third with 115 points. San Francisco University was the top Division 5 program in the race, finishing fourth with 145 points.

St. Joseph Notre Dame CA senior Emily Perez was the top Division 5 athlete, taking ninth in 18:42.3.

Sophomore Ava Earl of South Anchorage, who placed fourth in the 4A Division 1 final Sept. 29 at the Alaska state meet, produced a late surge to finish third in 17:47.6.

Savannah Scriven (18:25.1) and Samantha Steman (18:35.6) led Palos Verdes CA to the Division 3 girls sweepstakes title, taking the top two spots to help the Sea Kings place all seven runners among the first 26 finishers to prevail with 36 points.

It marked the first time since 1988 that Palos Verdes secured a girls sweepstakes victory at Mt. SAC.

Nevada Union CA senior Garrett Gough delivered the fastest individual performance Friday by clocking 14:53.2 in the Division 3 boys sweepstakes race. It marked the fourth consecutive year the Division 3 sweepstakes winner eclipsed 15 minutes.

Bakersfield Ridgeview CA junior Alex Cuevas took second in 15:18.3, leading the Wolfpack to a 63-71 victory over reigning Division 3 state champion West Torrance. Palos Verdes finished third with 76 points.

Morgan Fowler of Page AZ won the Division 4-5 boys sweepstakes race in 15:35.1, leading the Sand Devils to a 79-99 victory over Sage Creek. Page, the four-time reigning Arizona Division 3 champion, had all five scorers in the top 32 in a valuable tuneup for the state finals Nov. 10.

Joseph Domingues of St. Joseph Santa Maria CA took second in 15:43.4, Daniel Rubin of Sage Creek placed third in 15:43.7 and Christian Simone of Chaminade finished fourth in 15:43.9.

Riley Burns of Maranatha Christian was the top Division 5 athlete, securing seventh in 15:56.4.

Del Oro CA freshman Riley Chamberlain won her Division 3 varsity race in 17:42.3, the top ninth-grade performance Friday and the second-fastest female effort overall.

Del Oro senior Brayden McLaughlin won his Division 3 varsity race in 15:40.1, the 11th-fastest time overall on the opening day of competition.