Orienteering Championships
Hidden Valley Park
Martinz CA
Saturday, October 9, 2021

RESULTS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE 

 

Mud Pit Dominates Orienteering Champs; Pullen, Kabenina Top Navigation Test

After a two-year absence, orienteering returned to Hidden Valley Park on Saturday, continuing the tradition of combining physical fitness with mental savvy. Athletes were issued maps and given reign to choose their own adventure, so long as they made it to each of the 12 control points hidden throughout the opens pace and park areas.

Most efficient at competing the challenge was Senior Rhys Pullen (22), who appeared to waste little time plotting his course from point to point. Pullen was pressed by fellow senior, Sam Smith (22), who used a daring water crossing to shorten his route.

While a handful of Cougars managed to orient themselves successfully, including girls' veteran winner Kate Kabenina (24), boys' rookie champion Alessandro Paolieri (23), and girls' rookie 1st-place finisher Natalie Falsafi (24), others were less fortunate.

An unlucky handful of competitors fell victim to a particularly nasty mud pit in the ravine just north of the main lake, mistaking its surface as solid ground, only to realize too late its more gelatinous nature. While most were able to slither their way out of the rancid-smelling slime, others required charitable assistance, including Makena Weberski (24), who managed to lose her map in the process, along with much of her dignity.

ROOKIE BOYS
Champion
Alessandro Paolieri (23) - 54:48

Runner Up
Beck Murphy (24) - 56:49

3rd Place
Siddharth Iyer (25) - 58:11

 

VETERAN BOYS
Champion
Rhys Pullen (22) - 50:25

Runner Up
Sam Smith (22) - 50:36

3rd Place
Kye Wesselman (24) - 51:12

HARDCORE AWARD
Jacques Tseng (25)

 

ROOKIE GIRLS
Champion
Natalie Falsafi (24) - 1:37:05

Runner Up
Julia Waide (24) - 1:37:42

3rd Place
None


VETERAN GIRLS

Champion
Kate Kabenina (24) - 45:38

Runner Up
Mia Lawrence (24) - 52:13

3rd Place
Quinn Guthrie (23) - 56:11


HARDCORE AWARD
Makena Weberski (24)

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