Pretre impressive in first race back from injury, prevailing in 14:46.7 to lead Knights to team win; Wang triumphs in Woodbridge debut in 17:57.3 after missing event past two years to complete Palos Verdes girls and boys sweep in varsity races, with Corona del Mar achieving pair of 1-2 finishes

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Photos by Ken Martinez

IRVINE, Calif. – Landon Pretre knows the feeling of being on the biggest stage at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, with the Menlo School of California junior standout delivering the greatest performance of his prep career in the Doug Speck boys sweepstakes event at last year’s meet.

Natalie Wang knows only of Palos Verdes’ success at the ASICS America sponsored event from a distance, having been injured the past two years and unable to compete under the lights at the mid-September showcase.

With Pretre racing for the first time this season after recovering from being sidelined during the summer with injuries and Wang enjoying a healthy and strong start to her senior season, not only did both athletes produce the fastest performances in their respective genders Friday at Orange County Great Park, but they also contributed to team victories at the meet’s 42nd edition.

Although the course was expected to be the usual 3-mile layout synonymous with the Woodbridge event, the reported distances from several athletes and coaches Friday ranged from 3.08 to 3.13 miles, making it closer to a 5-kilometer competition.

Pretre clocked 14 minutes, 46.7 seconds in his White Division varsity race, leading three Menlo athletes finishing in the top four – along with third-place William Hauser (15:04.2) and fourth-place Jared Saal (15:07.0) – as the Knights, a leading contender to capture the California Division 5 state title, triumphed with 71 points.

Malcolm Oakes from Convent and Stuart Hall in California was runner-up in 14:58.7 behind Pretre, who took 10th in last year’s sweepstakes race in 14:06.7 on the 3-mile layout at Great Park. Pretre and Oakes were the only two sub-15 competitors on the opening night of the two-day schedule.

Wang ran 17:57.3 in her Red Division Varsity competition, with junior teammate Kate Sherry placing fourth in 18:21.2, helping Palos Verdes complete a sweep of both boys and girls races with 54 points.

Wang entered Friday’s event having competed more times in Hawaii during her prep career, racing twice at the Iolani Invitational, than she had participated at Woodbridge.

She held off Isabella Ramos of Point Loma (18:01.6) and Cynthia Herrera from Canyon High in Canyon Country (18:02.0), achieving one of three sub-18 performances on the night.

Joining Wang were Sophie Guilfoile of nearby Portola High, who prevailed in her Red Division varsity race in 17:57.8, just ahead of fellow junior Kianna Larsson from Rio Americano (17:59.2).

Larsson helped Rio Americano edge Valencia High of Placentia by a 113-114 margin to secure the team victory.

Alex Naehu, a senior, led Palos Verdes to a win in his Red Division varsity race by clocking 15:20.8, holding off junior Frank Rodriquez of Redlands East Valley in 15:22.0. Palos Verdes prevailed with 102 points.

Pretre wasn’t the only winner from Menlo School, with Ariya Kaushek achieving victory in her White Division varsity race in 18:15.9 and fellow sophomore Nicole Samson from Vivian Webb clocking 18:20.9 to take second.

Ashley Tarasenko from Northwest Christian in Arizona, a senior transfer from Maui High in Hawaii, was third in 18:21.4 to help the Crusaders earn the team win with 93 points.

Corona del Mar produced a pair of 1-2 finishes in White Division varsity races, highlighting the success of the Steinman family.

Melisse Djomby Enyawe, a senior, won her competition in 18:03.9, with 13-year-old freshman Emilie Steinman clocking 18:14.6 to take second.

Temecula Valley won the race with 71 points, with Corona del Mar placing 13th at 303 points.

Anna Soares of Placer, a senior and returning Division 3 state finalist slowed recently by shin splints, followed her second-place finish at the Nevada Union Invitational by finishing third in 18:35.7.

Max Douglass, competing in his second career cross country race after shifting his focus from football to track and cross country for Corona del Mar, followed his Sept. 9 victory at the Laguna Hills Invitational by winning again Friday in 15:23.3, followed by sophomore Kevin Steinman in 15:24.5.

Jack Medina of Somerset Academy Sky Pointe in Las Vegas took third in 15:34.8 to lead the Eagles to victory by a 109-140 margin against Corona del Mar.

McCoy Brooks from Enumclaw High in Washington made his third career appearance at Woodbridge the most memorable, with the senior winning a Red Division varsity race in 15:06.7 after placing third and ninth in his previous two trips to California.

Brayden Levander of American Leadership from West Foothills in Arizona placed second in 15:14.7.

Valencia of Placentia emerged victorious by a 135-160 margin against West Torrance.