On the first of October, we sampled the iconic Palos Verdes Cross Country Course. They ran the 2-mile version that day, with Peninsula junior Aishling Callanan dropping the second-fastest time ever.
This week, Callanan was back for the Bay League meet, run on an even more challenging 3-mile version of the PVCCC. And this time the record would not stand.
As shared with us by Palos Verdes coach and AD, Brian Shapiro, Callanan "benefiting from prime early evening conditions" broke the all-time course record, running 18:23.72 over the "ultra-hilly" 3.04-mile course.
"It is the same course that has been used since 1991," Shapiro wrote, "and some very good runners have come before her."
Callanan broke the record of 18:34 set by Amber Gore (Redondo/SS) in 2014.
Mira Costa senior Ella Parsley placed second in 18:37.16 and Redondo Union sophomore Lyla Fedio was third (19:18.45).
The Palos Verdes girls -- a Division III team -- defeated two larger schools, Mira Costa and Redondo, 46-52-56.
Mira Costa, the top-ranked team in Division II, was holding out its top two runners, Shapiro noted.
Interview with Aishling Callanan at the Palos Verdes Invitational
Redondo senior Christoph Waligorski (16:06.01) edged Palos Verdes senior Luke Stefanou (16:11.74) for individual honors in the varsity boys race. Mira Costa senior Seamus O'Meara was third in 16:26.43.
Mira Costa won the boys team race with 31 points, followed by Redondo (43) and Palos Verdes (64).
Culver City did not attend today as a team member tested positive for COVID-19 and the school was still undergoing contact tracing procedures.
The teams will meet again for the Bay League Finals at Redondo Union High School on Nov. 4.
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Our thanks to Coach Shapiro for providing this report and finish photo.
On the first of October, we sampled the iconic Palos Verdes Cross Country Course. They ran the 2-mile version that day, with Peninsula junior Aishling Callanan dropping the second-fastest time ever.
This week, Callanan was back for the Bay League meet, run on an even more challenging 3-mile version of the PVCCC. And this time the record would not stand.
