Runners set to take their marks in meet
There is always a lot going on at the annual Bellarmine/Griffith Park Cross-Country Invitational. Today's 33rd installment of the event is no exception.
The meet will not only feature host Bellarmine-Jefferson High, but the three other local schools — Burroughs, Burbank and Providence — as well. The field will be packed, as more than 100 schools are expected to take part in five divisions.
The honorary starter for the invite on the 2.9-mile Griffith Park course is Dick Smith, a former Guard coach and longtime friend of the school.
There could be a course record set in the girls' varsity competition. Junior Christine Babcock — the defending state champion in the 1,600 meters — from Woodbridge will take part.
Babcock is fresh from setting the Woodbridge Invitational meet record last weekend.
The Bell-Jeff course record is 16 minutes 31 seconds set in 2000 by Natalie Stein of North Hollywood.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Glendale's Richard Erbes setting the boys' course record. Erbes ran a stunning 14:10 in 1986. The closest anyone has come to the record was Andres Gomez of McFarland when he clocked 14:17 in 2000.
Local teams ranked in CIF this week
With new leagues and new divisions for many of the area high school schools, teams have experienced their share of change this season.
Fortunately for some of the local squads, there is also a lot of newfound success.
Three teams in three sports are among the top-10 ranked squads in their respective divisions in the CIF Southern Section.
In football, a 2-0 start enabled Burroughs High to rise to No. 3 in Central Division. However, look for the Indians to drop after losing to St. Francis on Friday, 24-21.
The Burbank boys' water polo team began the week ranked third in Division VI. However, the Bulldogs should also drop after losses to San Marino and South Pasadena after three of their players went down with injuries.
Unfortunately for Burbank, Pacific League foe Crescenta Valley is the top-ranked team in the division.
The Bellarmine-Jefferson girls' cross-country team has also been able to crack the top 10 in Division V, holding down the No. 8 spot.
— Jeff Tully
