CIF State Championships
Woodward Park
Fresno CA
Saturday, November 27, 2021

RESULTS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

Cougars Claim 7th State Title: Girls Top D3 Podium while Boys Finish 5th Overall

Capping what seemed like the longest of seasons following nearly a year-and-a-half of Covid-suspended high school athletics, the Campolindo varsity cross country squads each climbed the podium for a 3rd time in 3 consecutive attempts at the 2021 California state championships on the historic Woodward Park course in Fresno.

On the wings of an inspired front-running effort from senior Rhys Pullen (22) and another strong pack performance, the varsity boys' team contributed to one of the most competitive division 3 races in state meet history. Blake Webster (23) was particularly ambitious as his squad sprang to an early lead through the opening mile.

While the Cougars' enjoyed their best effort of the season, top-ranked West Torrance managed to hold off the challenge, scrapping their way to a 13-point win over the defending champions. It was a well-earned victory, as Campolindo put up a brilliant fight, posting the 2nd-best team time in school history. They also claimed the 5th overall spot in the merge of all divisions on the day.

In addition to Webster's massive 3 minute and 25 second improvement, Sam Smith (22), Finn Jordan (22), and Connor McGhee (23) also finished with career best times on the 5 kilometer course.

Ranked behind San Diego section leader Cathedral Catholic and San Joaquin's Del Oro, the varsity girls ran through the opening 2 miles of their race unimpressed by the competition. Ellie Buckley (23) and Shea Volkmer (24) were at the front early while Makena Weberski (24) and Angeni Lieben (22) kept the 1-through-4 pack margin exceptionally tight. This, in spite of Weberski's fall just 300 meters into the race.

The sophomore hit the pavement amidst the opening stampede, picked herself back up, and made up lost ground quickly as blood streamed from a gash in her left leg.

The opening-mile quick score had the Cougars 79 points ahead of their nearest rival. However, the ferocious early pace began to take its toll as the squad gave back 30 places by the 2.1 mile mark.

Up front, Buckley continued to challenge for the individual title in her 2nd pass through the gauntlet; but, her squad's advantage in the team standings was quickly evaporating. As Lieben crossed the 2-mile mark, they were showing signs of distress.

While Buckley would contribute just 2 points to the team standings, and Volkmer and Weberski would finish as the top 2-3 scorers by a wide margin, a cross country team result requires the contribution of five finishers.

Fortunately, depth provided by Daisy Penney (24) and Caroline McCool (23) gave the Cougars a fire wall against any late-race meltdowns. Penney finished just 2 places behind Del Oro's 4th scorer while McCool crossed the line 4 places back of the Golden Eagle's 5th to preserve the victory.

It is the 6th state championship for the Campolindo girls' program, and the 1st time the Cougars have managed to claim back-to-back CIF titles.

BOYS' VARSITY
10 RHYS PULLEN 12 15:32
23 ALEX LODEWICK 11 15:53
24 BLAKE WEBSTER 11 15:53
30 CONNOR MCGHEE 11 15:58
32 FINN JORDAN 12 15:58
48 SAM SMITH 12 16:11
93 MAXSON COOK 9 16:48

West Torrance 57, Campolindo 70, Maria Carrillo 174, Oakdale 204, St. John Bosco 212, Santa Margarita 235, Brea Olinda 250, Newark Memorial 252, Agoura 253, Capistrano Valley 275, Hilltop 316, Tulare Western 325, Cathedral Catholic 344, Chico 366, Northgate 366, Dos Pueblos 367, Beyer 397, Pleasant Valley 419, Frontier 461, St. Ignacius 466, Santa Cruz 489, El Capitan 494, Central 565, Skyline 598, Verdugo Hills 665

GIRLS' VARSITY
5 ELLIE BUCKLEY 11 18:04
13 SHEA VOLKMER 10 18:31
27 MAKENA WEBERSKI 10 18:50
44 DAISY PENNEY 10 19:16
58 CAROLINE MCCOOL 11 19:37
133 QUINN GUTHRIE 11 20:58
195 ANGENI LIEBEN 12 23:31

Campolindo 109, Del Oro 120, Cathedral Catholic 157, Tamalpais 163, Palos Verdes 167, La Costa Canyon 197, Maria Carrillo 226, South Torrance 252, Oak Park 261, Brea Olinda 290, Chico 300, University City 314, Santa Margarita 351, Northgate 356, Our Lady of Peace 363, Dos Pueblos 387, Torrance 392, Highland 442, Aptos 453, Oakdale 491, Canoga 541, Nevada Union 544, Notre Dame 651, Wasco 696, Skyline 699