Yucaipa, Long Beach Poly Defend Cross-Country Titles

The Yucaipa High girls’ cross-country team continued its march to a second consecutive top-five national ranking by posting a runaway victory in the Division I race of the Southern Section championships at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday.

The Thunderbirds, ranked No. 2 in the country by Harrier magazine, placed three runners among the top nine finishers on their way to a 44-79 victory over Anaheim Esperanza.

Senior Kimi Welsh finished first in 17 minutes 46 seconds over the three-mile course as Yucaipa won its third consecutive section title. The previous two were Division II titles.

The Thunderbirds were one of four teams to successfully defend titles in a meet that serves as a qualifier for the state championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 29.

Long Beach Poly, paced by senior Chad Durham’s second-place time of 15:16, won its second consecutive Division I boys’ title with a 50-119 victory over Peninsula.

Ojai Nordhoff won its fourth consecutive section title with a 43-55 upset of Corona del Mar in the Division IV girls’ race. Senior Elaine Canchola paced the Rangers’ victory by winning an unprecedented fourth consecutive individual title in 18:19.

Orange El Modena defeated West Covina South Hills, 76-81, for its second consecutive Division III girls’ championship.