LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Campo cross country squads reach state meet podium


Photo Abby Buckley

For the first time in 15 years, both the boys' and girls' Campolindo cross country squads reached the podium at the California State Meet in Fresno, finishing second and third in the Division III races, respectively. It was a particularly challenging road to the State Meet this year as the runners had to move almost all of their post-season workouts indoors due to the poor air quality from the Camp Fire. The smoke also delayed their state qualifying race, the North Coast Section meet, until just four days before the state meet. Even then, the boys ran under less than optimal air conditions, which ultimately caused the cancelation of the girls' race. The Campo boys finished in first place, reclaiming their NCS title from Maria Carrillo, and the girls were selected by the NCS committee to advance to Fresno.

At the state meet, the boys were led by senior standout Teddy Buckley who covered the 5K course in 15:38, finishing eighth overall. Dylan Gunn, the highest sophomore finisher in the race, was Campo's No. 2 scorer in 11th place. Junior Cayden Hein, competing in his first state meet, also finished in the Top 20. Junior Dylan Cronin and senior Cameron Iniguez-Reyes rounded out the scoring for the Cougars. Finishing just 11 points behind champion Ridgeview of Bakersfield, it was the boys' highest finish since finishing second 10 years ago and fifth podium finish all-time.

The girls came into the meet as the defending champions but had lost their top four finishers at last year's State meet to graduation. Junior Paloma Hancock was Campo's top finisher, crossing the line in 11th place in a time of 18:51. Sophomore Sophie Webster was just four seconds behind in 13th place in her state meet debut. Junior Alicia Hober also cracked the top 20 in 17th place. Freshman Sarah Berten and junior Ellie Guthrie were the final two scorers in 61st and 65th place, respectively. It was the girls' 13th podium finish in school history, placing them second on the state all-time list.