Velasquez lifts Burbank girls in first league meet

ARCADIA — Just two weeks ago, it appeared that the Burroughs High girls' cross-country team would have the upper hand against cross-town rival Burbank again this season.

In the 16th installment of the Burbank All-City Meet on Sept. 7, the Indians finished first among the four local teams and the Bulldogs were second by 16 points.

However, after its performance in Thursday's first Pacific League meet at Arcadia Park, upstart Burbank is not only gunning to be the top squad in the rivalry, but it proved it has a fine shot at earning a postseason berth.

Crescenta Valley won the meet and Burbank placed second, followed by Burroughs, Arcadia, Glendale, Hoover and Pasadena. Muir did not compete.

Falcon junior Claire Collison won the race in 17 minutes 55 seconds on the three-mile course that mostly features a flat terrain.

Crescenta Valley, ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division I behind Saugus and Fountain Valley, had five top-10 finishers.

Burbank and Burroughs showed they might be serious threats in the Pacific League following a lengthy stint in the Foothill League, which featured top programs Canyon Country Canyon and Saugus.

Burbank turned to freshman Jennifer Velasquez, who placed third with a personal-best mark of 18:29.

"I was kind of nervous," said Velasquez, who turned in a mark of 19:19 at the Woodbridge Invitational. "I didn't think about it being my first [Pacific League race].

"I wanted to do better, but I'll do better next time."

Teammate Michelle Horgan placed ninth (19:23) and was followed by Kristina Amela (12th; 19:25), Kiran Jolly (15th; 19:55) and Natalie Horgan (22nd; 20:30).

Burroughs — which placed third in the Foothill League last season — had two top-10 finishers in Sadee Martinez (fourth; 18:37) and Michelle Martinez (eighth; 19:12). The other scorers were Lilyana Morejon (13th; 19:30), Monique Martinez (16th; 20:01) and Kerry Hodgins (19th; 20:13).

In the boys' race, Arcadia, showed why it's ranked third in CIF Southern Section Division I, by winning the meet, thanks to a first-place finish from Andrew Pilavjian (15:07) and a second-place effort from Ryan Chen (15:12).

Crescenta Valley took second, followed by Burroughs, Burbank, Glendale, Hoover and Pasadena. Muir did not compete.

The top local finisher was junior Matt Carey, this year's All-City champion. He finished seventh in 15:25. Teammate Ryan Williams was placed 10th in 15:41 and was followed by Walter Rivas (22nd; 16:35), Jeff Prutz (26th; 16:46) and Forest Goodbar (31st; 17:04).

Carey said he adjusted to the course during the second loop around the park.

"I tried to keep a good pace," said Carey, who turned in a mark of 15:33 at the Woodbridge Invitational. "It's more fun running in the hills, but every race is it's own.

"I didn't know who I was racing against, but I think there's more competition in this league."

Burroughs' top athletes included Western Nelson and James Larsen. Western placed 13th (15:45) and Larsen clocked 16:14 to take 16th. The team's scorers included Juan Mendoza (17th; 16:14), Dustin Blankenship (18th; 16:15) and Andres Carrasco (20th; 16:20).

The next league meet will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 12 at Verdugo Park.