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Burbank Cross Country Ready for Big Year

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It is no secret that local cross country teams are continually competitive year in and year out.
But this year figures to a special one for the Burbank High boys’ team. There is no telling how good the Bulldogs can be. They return all seven of their varsity runners from league finals from a year ago and if healthy should finish their season in Fresno at the California State Championships. As hard as it might be to believe, Burbank’s boys’ team has actually never been to the state meet.

Burroughs, which won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 boys’ title in 2014, isn’t far behind.
Both the Burbank and Burroughs girls’ teams figure to fight for the Pacific League title after finishing first and second a year ago.

Burbank

The Bulldog boys’ team is looking to be healthy this year after struggling with that aspect a year ago.  The Bulldogs open the season ranked No. 3 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 preseason poll. In track season, there were five Bulldogs who broke the 10-minute barrier in the 3,200 meters. This would be comparable to a starting five in basketball that all average in double figures in points.

Senior Victor Goli is coming off a fine track season after he was sick much of last cross country season.  Goli ran 4 minutes, 23.4 seconds in the 1,600 and 9:25.58 in the 3,200. Junior Andres Leon is running right alongside him. He went 4:26.81 and 9:42.18 as a sophomore.

Burbank High’s Victor Goli at the finish line last season.

Seniors Dayne Ellis (9:46.29), Anthony Chiaravalle (9:55.97) and Tadeh Shanazari (9:57.59) all went under 10 minutes in track. Senior Steve Wright (10:10.39) was not far behind. Junior Mher Matevosyan, who is a middle distance specialist, will also be in the running for a varsity spot. Matevosyan went 1:58.59 for 800 meters as a sophomore and 4:38.35 in the 1,600. Fellow junior Tyler Jenkins (4:42.05 and 10:07.77) should also see some time on varsity.

Senior Andrew Uhm and sophomore Damon Lovelace are also fighting for a spot on varsity.

“In a league with so many talented athletes and such knowledgeable, successful coaches, we always make it our goal to be in the top three and this year is no different,” Burbank coach Kathryn Nelson said. “We hope to advance our boys team into the CIF Finals and take a shot at making the State Meet this year.”

The Burbank girls’ team is coming off of a league championship season. The Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 9 in the CIF Division 1 preseason poll, were hit hard by graduation. However, they are still deep and should still be in contention for another league title.

Sol Fernandez is back for her senior year.  She ran 5:18.1 in the 1,600 last spring in track and 11:24.3 in the 3,200.

Sol Fernandez

Junior Mckynzee Kelley was the Pacific League frosh-soph champion in the 1,600, going 5:25.38.  Kelley (11:35.3 in 3,200). Elin Markarian (11:34.00 in the 3,200) was the frosh-soph league champion in cross country last year. Fellow juniors Megan LaCamera (12:19.49 as a freshman), Noela Kim (12:03.51), and Zoe Zeron (12:45.48) figure to play key roles on the varsity.
Senior Cynthia Movsisian (12:36.4 in 3,200), sophomore Kyalin Abarabar (13:12.92 in 3,200), senior Izzy Bittencourt (13:12.19 in 3,200) and freshman Joanna Camacho are also fighting for a varsity spot.

“We have a good group of juniors moving up to support Sol but staying healthy will be key,” Nelson said. “We have a very hard working class of freshman girls and we are excited to watch them grow in the program. Joanna Camacho has already broken into the top 10 coming out of summer and Clara Kim is not far behind.”

Burroughs

The Indians will be solid with the boys and girls teams.

Junior Jordan Guzman, who finished sixth in the Pacific League finals last year, will lead the way. Senior Ceci Whitney, who finished eighth in league, is also back. Sophomore Sophia Navarro, who was 10th in league finals, gives the Indians a solid top three.

Jordan Guzman of Burroughs

Sophomore Savannah Hernandez (12:14.6 in 3,200) will probably will the role of being fourth. Juniors Briana Contreras (12:46.45 in 3,200) and Kiara Cruz (27th in cross country league finals last year) should give the Indians enough to be serious league contenders.

Seniors Taylor Lombardo, Samanatha Hoxsie and junior Kaia Mouser are also in contention for spots on varsity.

“We need to work on closing the gap between our top seven runners,” Burroughs coach John Peebles said. “They are working hard and it is a long season, but we have to simply focus on getting better one day at a time.”

The Burroughs boys team is one that might surprise some people because they are quite good, even though everyone is looking at Crescenta Valley and Burbank. The Indians might actually be a year away from being the team to beat in league.

Junior Julian Largaespada was the Pacific League’s frosh-soph champion in the 1,600 (4:36.37).

Junior Jimmy Nealis (4:41.21 in 1,600) is also capability of big things.

Seniors Logan Berger (10:10.29 in the 3,200 in league finals), Trevor Villagran (10:18.30) and  Robert McGraham (10:46.46) are all solid veterans.

Sophomore Mason Ortega (4:50.62 in 1,600 in Buroughs-Burbank dual meet),  sophomore Jalen Leighton (4:54.49 in 1,600 in Burroughs-Burbank dual meet) and sophomore Chase Eldridge (hurdler, middle distance runner in track) will also battle for a spot on varsity.

“The boys are really working on the concept of pack running,” Peebles said.  “The path to success for the boys will be getting the pack to go together.”

Burbank Girls Cross Country Wins League Title Outright

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The last time the Burbank High girls’ cross country team won a league title outright, the year was 1978.
Despite the fine achievement, the Lady Bulldogs didn’t grab all the headlines as those went to Jeff Nelson, arguably the greatest high school boys’ cross country of all time.
Now four decades later, Nelson’s wife Kathryn, led the Bulldogs to their historic title, which was clinched Thursday in the Pacific League Finals at Crescenta Valley Park.
“I stood their crying for a second,” Kathryn Nelson said of the achievement. “(It was) a lot of hard work. They wanted it. We knew we could be competitive, but you have to show up in the race.”
The Bulldogs easily won by scoring 32 points. Burroughs finished second with 59 points. Both teams will advance to postseason competition. Burbank tied for a Pacific League title in 2014, but the Bulldogs never won a league meet in doing so.

Junior Sol Fernandez led the Bulldogs by clearning the 3-mile course in 19 minutes, 12 seconds.
“Our coaches told us it is not for you to grab, you are defending it,” Fernandez said. “It is a huge success for this team.”
Shalom Mejia finished third in 19:36.
Also for Burbank were Jamie Levin (seventh, 19:54), Megan LaCamera (ninth, 20:02), Mckynzee Kelley (11th, 20:06), Lydia Forsyth (13th, 20:11) and Natalie Danao (16th, 20:21).

Burroughs was led by sophomore Jordan Guzman, who finished sixth in 19:53.
Also for the Indians were Ceci Whitney (eighth, 19;58), Sophia Navarro (10th, 20:05), Lakely Nealis (15th, 20:14), Julianna Navarro (20th, 20:37), Jamie Perez-Fernandez (26th, 21:19) and Kiara Cruz(27th, 21:46).
Burbank finished third in the boys’ varsity competition with 85 points. Crescenta Valley won with 27 points. Burroughs, without injured star Raymond Berrellez, finished fifth with 110 points.
The Bulldogs were led by sophomore Andres Leon (eighth, 16:12). He was followed by Victor Goli (12th, 16:23), Tadeh Shanazari (15th, 16:37), Steven Wright (24th, 17:23), Dayne Ellis (26th, 17:29), Tyler Jenkins (32nd, 17:51) and Mher Matevosyan (36th, 18:07). All seven of Burbank’s runners are underclassmen.


Burroughs was led by the duo of Robert McGraham and Carlos Ponce. McGraham finished 18th in 16:52. Ponce was 19th, also in 16:52. Trevor Villagran was 20th in 16:55. Jimmy Nealis was 23rd (17:12), Johnny Padungyothee (30th, 17:38), Peter Lainson (33rd 18:00) and Logan Berger (39th, 18:30).

Burbank Girls Cross Country Wins Again

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A season after finishing fourth in league, there wasn’t much hoopla over the Burbank High girls’ cross country team heading into this season.
But the Bulldogs showed once again Thursday afternoon that times have changed and that they are for real.
The Bulldogs won their second consecutive Pacific League meet, topping second-place Burroughs, 36-59 at Arcadia County Park.
For decades the league has been dominated by Arcadia and Crescenta Valley.
“We talk a lot about what it means to win. It comes down to hard work. They made the commitment to do it this summer,” Burbank coach Kathryn Nelson said of her team. “They took the Verdugos and ran every piece of the Verdugos that they could run.”

Burbank, which is ranked No. 10 in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 poll, was led by senior Shalom Mejia. She finished third overall, covering the flat three-mile course in 18 minutes, 5 seconds.
She was followed by teammates Sol Fernandez (fourth, 18:12), McKynzee Kelley (seventh, 18:33), Jamie Levin (ninth, 18:35), Lydia Forsyth (13th, 18:45), Megan LaCamera (15th, 18:58) and Natalie Danao (17th, 19:01).
Burroughs was led by freshman Sophia Navarro, who was sixth in 18:19. Ceci Whitney (eighth, 18:35), Jordan Guzman (11th, 18:42), Lakely Nealis (14th, 18:53), Julianna Navarro (20th, 19:19), Patrycija Maciak (23rd, 19:23) and Kiara Cruz (26th, 19:56) round out the Indians, who narrowly beat out Crescenta Valley for second place by just one point.
In the boys’ varsity competition, Burbank finished third with 77 points and Burroughs was fourth with 97. Crescenta Valley won with 36 points.
Burroughs Raymond Berrellez finished third overall in 14:54.
Burbank sophomore Andres Leon led the Bulldogs by taking fifth in 15:00.
“We’re just trying to do better than we did before,” Leon said. “A lot of us have been sick so we haven’t been performing at our best.”

Also for Burbank were Dayne Ellis (16th, 15:38), Victor Goli (17th, 15:39), Tadeh Shanazari (19th, 15:47), Anthony Chiaravalle (20th, 15:49), Steven Wright (28th, 16:24) and Jahir Olvera (30th, 16:30).
Following Barrellez for Burroughs were Carlos Ponce (21st, 15:49), Robert McGraham (23rd, 15:52), Trevor Villagran (24th, 16:02), Johnny Padungyothee (26th, 16:14), Logan Berger (32nd, 16:33) and Patrick Suarez (38th, 17:15).
“The girls ran pretty solidly today,” Burroughs coach John Peebles said. “On the boys side Raymond ran a really good race. We’re still trying to pack with our two through six.”

Burbank Girls Cross Country Comes Up With Big Win

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One could go on and on about the accolades Burbank High boys’ distance runners have achieved over the years.
Thursday afternoon, it was Burbank’s girls’ team that showed it can achieve fine results as well.
The Bulldogs won the first Pacific League Meet at Crescenta Valley Park and was followed in second by Burroughs. The Bulldogs scored 34 points. Burroughs scored 52. Crescenta Valley was third with 60 and Arcadia was fourth with 79.
Burbank’s boys’ team finished third and Burroughs was fourth.
“We said if our coach says we can do it, then we can do it,” said Shalom Mejia, the top runner on the Burbank girls’ team. “I’m excited to see what we can do for the other league meets.”
The win for Burbank in taking a league meet is believed to be the first in more than 25 years, back when teams would compete in dual meets.

Mejia finished third overall, covering the 3-mile course in 19 minutes, 41 seconds.
Also for Burbank were Natalie Danao (fourth, 19:47), Sol Fernandez (sixth, 19:54), Megan LaCamera (10th, 20:00), Mckynzee Kelley (11th, 20:10), Jamie Levin (14th, 20:20) and Lydia Forsyth (16th, 20:31).
Burroughs, which was hit hard due to graduation, ran very well with a young group.
Freshman Sophia Navarro finished fifth overall in 19:53. Also for the Indians, Jordan Guzman (eighth, 19:55), Ceci Whitney (ninth, 19:57), Julianna Navarro (13th, 20:18), Lakely Nealis (17th, 20:36), Vanessa Reveles (21st, 20:57), Samantha Hoxsie (33rd, 23:59).

The boys’ race was won by Crescenta Valley with 34 points. Arcadia was second with 40. Burbank was third with 76 and Burroughs fourth with 86 points.
Burroughs Raymond Berrellez finished third overall in 15:53.
Burbank, which has just one senior, was led by sophomore Andres Leon, who took ninth in 16:16.
Also for the Bulldogs were Anthony Chiaravalle (13th, 16:31), Tadeh Shanazari (15th, 16:35), Dayne Ellis (16th, 16:38), Victor Goli (23rd, 17:13), Steven Wright (26th, 17:28) and Jahir Olvera (27th, 17:29).
Also for Burroughs were Carlos Ponce (14th, 16:32), Robert McGraham (17th, 16:38), Johnny Padungyothee (24th, 17:15), Logan Berger (28th, 17:32), Joseph Aguayo (37th, 18:41) and Peter Lainson (38th, 18:44).
“It was my first race of the season, so I was just testing myself out today,” Berrellez said. “I’m trying to have a long season.”

Burbank Sharp in First Jeff Nelson Invitational

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It took nearly 40 years after Jeff Nelson left his footprint at Burbank High as arguably the greatest American high school distance runner ever to have a race named in his honor.

Saturday, Nelson as well as his high school coaches, Dave Kemp and Frank Kallem were on hand for the first Jeff Nelson Cross Country Invitational on a newly created 3-mile course at Griffith Park.

The host Bulldogs didn’t disappoint in front of Nelson, who is close to the program since his wife, Kathryn, is one of the Bulldogs’ coaches.

Burbank High’s Victor Goli at the finish line.

“Jeff is super close to us, so to have a meet hosted in his name and for us to do that well in our first impression for the season, I feel it is a great start for us to get motivated. Our main goal this year is to get a league title and then move up to postseason stuff,” Burbank’s top runner, Victor Goli, said.

Burbank finished second in both the boys and girls competitions, losing only to former Foothill League rival Saugus. Saugus has been one of the top programs in California over the past decade.

Saugus won with a score of 25 points. Burbank was second with 36 points. Burroughs, which kept its elite frosh-soph runners down in a race of that grade level, finished 6th with 147.

Jacob Kaufmann of Saugus won the race in 16 minutes, 3 seconds. Goli was second in 16:16.

Jeff Nelson (middle) with his high school coaches, Dave Kemp, left, and Frank Kallem, right.

Burbank sophomore Andres Leon was fifth in 16:20. Juniors Tadeh Shanazari (eighth, 16:42), Dayne Ellis (14th, 17:04) and Anthony Chiaravalle (16th, 17:09) round out the top five. Senior Jahir Olvera was 20th in 17:22 and junior Steven Wright (30th, 17:45).

Burroughs was led by senior Carlos Ponce (19th, 17:13). He was followed by juniors Robert McGraham (26th, 17:41) and Logan Berger (29th, 17:46). Seniors Patrick Suarez (54th, 18:59) and Peter Lainson (61st, 19:10) round out the top five for the Indians.

The girls’ varsity race was won by Mia Barnett of Village Christian in 19:12. Saugus won the team competition with 33 points. Burbank was second with 64. Burroughs did not field a full team as many top runners ran in the lower level divisions.

Burbank senior Shalom Mejia was second in 19:44.

“It is amazing how the invitational was named after Jeff Nelson and he is really inspirational to all of us. I’m glad we were able to have our own invitational here,” Mejia said. “I personally like this course. When I was racing I knew when to speed up, when to slow down.”

Also for Burbank were junior Sol Fernandez (13th, 20:17), sophomore Noela Kim (18th, 20:56), senior Natalie Danao (20th, 20:58), sophomore Mckynzee Kelley (21st, 21:00), senior Jamie Levin (22nd, 21:02), sophomores Megan LaCamera (24th, 21:16) and Elin Markarian (25th, 21:20).

Burroughs was led by junior Ceci Whitney (11th, 20:15). Seniors Julianna Navarro (17th, 20:49) and Lakely Nealis (30th, 21:58) were also impressive.

Burroughs showed it is still very strong by its performance  in the frosh-soph boys’ race with sophomore Jimmy Nealis taking second (17:49).

Freshmen Jalen Leighton (third, 17:49) and Mason Ortega (fourth, 17:50) were right behind. Xander Penaflor, another freshman, was ninth in 18:22. Tyler Jenkins (10th, 18:23) was Burbank’s top runner in the race.

In the frosh-soph girls’ race, Burroughs was led by freshman Sophia Navarro (third, 21:31). Alongside her in fourth (21:31) was sophomore Jordan Guzman.

Burbank sophomore Gabrianna Bass was fifth (21:31), and fellow Bulldog sophomore Zoe Zeron was seventh (21:23).

Full meet results can be seen at finishedresults.com

 

 

Burbank Cross Country Looking Scary Good

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Long-distance running has been strong locally for decades. That will not change in 2018. However, this time the power has shifted to Burbank High after Burroughs enjoyed a few years of dominance and a CIF Southern Section title.

Burbank

The Bulldogs are young, talented and deep for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.

For the boys’ team, four runners went under the 10-minute barrier in the 3,200 last spring in track. Of those, just Jahir Olvera is a senior.

A very strong group of juniors led by Victor Goli are back. Also returning on varsity are Dayne Ellis, Anthony Chiaravalle and Tadeh Shanazari. If all goes well, this group could be a year away from challenging for a CIF title.

Sophomore Andres Leon is another star and one of the sub-10 minute runners in the 3,200.

The seventh spot on varsity is up for grabs with senior Peter Al-Hasani, juniors Christian Nunez, Leo Apreza, Andrew Uhm, Steven Wright and Ethan Hutchin competing.

Sophomores Tyler Jenkins, Cody Lin, Tony Ordoukhanian and Mher Matevosyan could also break through into the varsity squad.

“We are very happy with the summer base. (There has been) lots of hard work and excitement about this season,” co-Coach Kathryn Nelson said. “As always, staying healthy is the key. In a league with so much postseason experience, we are constantly aware of the level of commitment required to break into that top three.”

Sol Fernandez of Burbank High. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The girls’ team may not have as much star power up front, but it is very deep. Burbank has more than a dozen returners who have gone under 13 minutes in the 3,200.

Junior Sol Fernandez returns and is the team captain. Seniors Shalom Mejia, Lydia Forsyth, Jamie Levin, Natalie Danao and Raquel Goli give Burbank a solid core with experience. Junior Cynthia Movsisian is also expected to run on varsity.

Sophomores Noela Kim, Mckynzee Kelley, Megan LaCamera, Elin Markarian and Gabrianna Bass might also make a run at a varsity spot. Freshman Kyalin Abarabar has also been impressive early on.

Burroughs

The Indians have lost some star power in Jagdeep Chahal for the boys’ team and Emily Virtue for the girls’ team. Both have continued their careers in college as Chahal, the CIF Master’s Meet champion in the 1,600, is at UC Santa Barbara. Virtue, a national finalist in cross country as a sophomore, is at Columbia University.

The Burroughs boys’ team is led by senior Raymond Berrellez, who should be amongst the best in the Pacific League.

The rest of the team will mostly consist of runners who are new to varsity.

Sophomore Jimmy Nealis and senior Carlos Ponce have shown promise.

Also fighting for a varsity spot are seniors Johnny Padungyothee, Peter Lainson and Patrick Suarez as well as juniors Logan Berger, Issac Flores, Robert McGraham and Dane Wright.

Sophomore Julius Largaespada and freshman Xander Penaflor might also make a run at a varsity spot.

“We do not have a lot of experience, so this year will definitely be a learning year for some of our younger runners,” Burroughs coach John Peebles said. “Raymond is looking very strong, so we hope that transitions into a strong season for him and that brings the others with him.”

Jordan Guzman of Burroughs

The girls’ team has some talent and is led by sophomore Jordan Guzman, who was impressive last spring in track. Seniors Julianna Navarro, Lakely Nealis and Vanessa Reveles are also expected to make a push for a varsity spot. Juniors Taylor Lombardo and Ceci Whitney as well as sophomore Jamie Perez-Fernandez could also see time on varsity.

Sophomore Patrycja Maciak and freshman Sophia Navarro provide depth.

“I think our senior leadership will be key on the girls’ side. Our seniors will need to be leaders, both vocally and in terms of running,” Peebles said. “They have to be able to challenge themselves and the younger girls in order to accomplish what they would like to accomplish.”