Mt. SAC Friday: Tamagno and Maxwell Sit A Top The Mountain

Maxwell goes sub-17 yet again. (Photo by Dave Burnette)

Friday Mt. Sac Invitational Review

By David M. Burnette

25 October, 2013

 

There was no disappointment in the 66th edition of the famous Mt. Sac. Invitational in Walnut, California on Friday night.  The two day meet is separated in five divisions based on each school's enrollment with the smaller schools competing on Friday.  

In the Division III Boys the heavy favorite, #25 ranked Saucony Team Brea Olinda proved that last week's victory at the Orange County Championships over California powerhouse Dana Hills was no fluke.   Brea Olinda was lead by a sophomore record setting performance by Austin Tamagno.  Tamagno took the lead near the two mile mark and never looked back as he crossed the line in a blistering 14:34, breaking Elias Gedyon's record by 14 seconds.  Both Indio's David Luna and El Modena's Sydney Gidabuday gave chase to Tamagno but wasn't able to hold on in the last mile and finished 2nd and 3rd, both breaking the 15 minute barrier.  However, the Brea Olinda team was not a one runner show, as they placed four runners in the top 14 of the Division III Sweepstakes, winning the race by 62 points over Jurupa Hills.  Brea Olinda averaged an impressive 15:20 between their top five runners.   Central California powerhouse McFarland won the Division IV boys title with Emery Castner of Xavier Prep, claiming the individual title at 15:20.  St. Joseph's ranked #2 in California Division V ran all over #1 ranked Flintridge Prep with a 39 to 72 point victory.  St. Joseph's placed four runners in the top eight.  Alan Yoho of Flintridge took the individual title in 14:58.

The Division III Girls Sweepstakes also provided plenty of excitement with Bethan Knights of Northwood High, impressive wire to wire minute and 14 second victory.  Knights finished in 16:59, making her only the 16th girl to go under 17 minutes in the history of the meet.  Northwood also took the team title with help from a third place finish by freshman Samantha Murphy.  Previously sub 17 minute runner, Anna Maxwell, San Lorenzo Valley returned to Mt. Sac. for her senior campaign.  Maxwell clocked the fastest time of the day, 16:56 in the Division IV Sweepstakes leading her team to victory over the defending Division IV State Champions JSerra. Malibu's Caroline Pietrzyk finished second with an impressive 17:37.

Division V saw California #1 ranked Flintridge Prep was upset by West Point Grey Acadamey.