Div I Boys: Dana Hills makes history with 77:38 Meet Record; #2 All-Time; Tyler Valdes takes honors

CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Woodward Park, Fresno, CA

November 29, 2008

California NXN qualifiers will be selected by the NXN committee following the state meet.

 22nd Annual CIF State Championships: Onsite Coverage by Margo Kelly

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Division I Boys

Live!!! Following a very foggy start, Dana Hills ran away with the team victory in a overall state record total team time 77:38. The time is #2 all-time for the famed Woodward Park course to the 93' Mead, WA squad who traversed the course in 77:22. To put the team time into perspective, the 93 Mead team is considered by many as the greatest prep boys team in U.S. history.

Averaging 15:32 over the course, Dana Hills was led by individual champion Tyler Valdes who won going away in 15:05 (Course Record). Tyler's twin brother Ryan Valdes finished 14th overall in 15:31 followed by Zak Phillips 15:35, Blake Ahrold 15:37, Taylor Hogshead 15:50 rounding out the scoring five.

The Division I boys race was not without drama as Harrier Nat#9 Buchanan blistered through the course in the #3 All-time 77:48. In team scoring Dana Hills was first with 70 points with Buchanan close behind with 85. Buchanan was paced heavily by an amazing front three all finishing within the top 15.

Led by Jonathan Sanchez 15:12, Danny Vartanian 15:18, Heath Reedy 15:30, scorers at the finish line thought Buchanan had the team title locked up however the depth of Dana Hills #5 man Taylor Hogstead sealed the deal and a team championship.

Dana Hills has solidified themselves as an early NTN contender and did not disappoint. In terms of team average Dana Hills out-pointed Buchanan 15:32 to 15:34. What is clear is that the Division I race produced two of the top teams in state meet history, perhaps the greatest team race in California State history.