For the second year in a row, the Burroughs High boys’ varsity cross-county team qualified for the CIF Southern Section State Meet after placing sixth at the CIF Finals Division I meet at Mount San Antonio College on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the girls’ varsity squad finished 10th, which was the best-ever, with Emily Virtue getting second place in a time of 17 minutes and 45 seconds.
Virtue ran the seventh fastest time, had the highest placing ever by a boy or girl in school history, and became the fourth Burroughs runner to make the CIF State Finals, joining Sadee Martinez (2006 and 2007), Western Nelson (2008) and Anthony Monroy (2010 and 2011).
In the boys varsity race, Justin Villagran took 32nd (15:56), Andrew Barrondo grabbed 41st (16:03), Jagdeep Chahal was 43rd (16:06) and Timothy Wells nabbed 47h (16:08).
Alexander Hirsch was 55th (16:13), Chris Hoxsie managed 69th (16:22 ) and Manne Green placed 83rd (16:45).
“The varsity boys struggled but gutted it out to qualify for the state meet, as the top seven qualify,” Burroughs coach John Peebles said. “The varsity girls ran strong to surprise many, but not the people who truly matter.”
In the girls varsity race, Heidi Eligio was 57th (19:46), Teresa Perez took 64th (19:56) and Sapphire Sandoval was 80th (20:18).
Lakely Nealis nabbed 84th (20:23), Eileen Eckles finished 95th (20:40) and Jailene Diaz was 112th (21:30).
The state meet will be held at Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 28.
