PC: Michael Lucid Photography
What a week for the Vikings! Thank you to all our hardworking athletes, parents and volunteers who made our largest Viking Opener Invitational in history possible. A total of 37 high schools (up from 27 last year) from all over Northern California and 900+ (up from 700+ last year) athletes descended on Spring Lake September 15 for the 35th annual running of the blossoming prestigious meet. Next year might mean a capacity lottery cap on the meet, only adding to the allure of the event.
Viking athletes did not disappoint on Viking weekend, not only managing their assigned duties as course monitors, but also delivering some strong performances and PRs.
Junior newcomer Daniel Ledesma led the men’s performances of the day with his strong 10:58 (5:29) cross-country debut earning him a top-10 medal and a coveted spot on the junior all-time list tying for #15. Senior Leah Haley and junior Mariah Briceno led the women’s performances of the day, both managing to earn spots not only on their class all-time lists, but also on the Montgomery all-time top 25 lists.
Haley logged a thumping 1:44 minute PR due to having miss racing last year’s Viking during her transfer sit-out period, launching to #6 on the Montgomery top 25 list and #4 on the all-time senior girls list with her blazing 12:04 (6:02). Briceno followed close behind, with a 15-second PR and landing as #13 on the top 25 list and #10 on the all-time junior girls list with her 12:39 (6:19).
Sophomore Hayden Dalsing led the Viking PR parade this meet with a 60-second PR, knocking his time down to an 11:53 (5:56). Senior Gage Hallin followed up with a similar feat, knocking his time down by 47 seconds to a 13:21 (6:40). Sophomore Tan Luong had a 14-second PR with his 13:52 (6:56). Freshmen Jaymon George – 12:18 (6:09) and Lucas Morthole – 13:10 (6:35) – also both saw over 90-second (!) improvements on their Viking Opener times from their 8th grade XC days as Slater Spartans. George also landed on the Viking all-time freshman boys list taking over the #20 spot.
Senior Justin Parks earned himself a top 20 ribbon in #17 with his 12:47 (6:23) in the open boys race. Senior Brandon Alvarado also earned himself a top 20 ribbon with his #19 finish and 15-second PR in an 11:05 (5:32). While the Vikings did not see any team ribbons this year, the team ran well as a whole.
The Press Democrat even had the presence of mind to publish a short blurb on the meet in the following Sunday’s paper (see photo). Might be the first time they’ve covered the meet, as cross-country sadly fails to generate the kind of headlines enjoyed by other sports played and not run.
The Vikings next contest at the 2nd annual Eye Opener Invitational at Shollenberger Park in Petaluma with host former rival Casa Grande.
Montgomery’s junior varsity squad delivered a strong showing at the 2nd annual Bob Shor Invitational hosted by our orange-and-black blood rivals (guess who?) at Spring Lake Park on Sept. 5. The invitational’s unique 2.1 mile JV course follows the first two miles of our home course with a quick, sharp right turn down “Insult Hill” to bring the athlete home. Despite 14 members of the entire team falling to an early onslaught of illness affecting this meet, the Viking athletes able to run carried on regardless of the temporary loss.
On the JV girls side, surprise incoming Cardinal Newman transfer Kira Kelley (who boasts strong varsity 100m and 200m times on her resume) completed her first cross-country race and first race as a Viking, leading the JV girls squad in a 16:55 (8:03). Sophomore Fiona Sweet followed closely behind with a 17:00 (8:05). Freshman Julia Lusnia continued to demonstrate her potential and posted a 17:18 (8:14).
While most of the varsity followed the coach’s original plan and executed a great tempo workout at the full 3.05-mile varsity race on the home course to prep for the Lowell Invitational, senior Leah Haley had something different in mind when she blasted her way from 19th to 13th on the Montgomery Top 25 all-time course records list in a strong season opener of 18:59 (6:13) and a 23-second PR (Wait, why do we work out in the summer kids? What’s that? PRs??). Haley followed up her Rancho Cotate Invitational win last week with a win here as well, leaving behind the rest of the field by a full 61 seconds.
Montgomery XC opened their season at the Rancho Cotate Invitational on Aug. 31. The flagship flat and fast 2.97 mile course was shortened to an interesting 2.72 length due to construction on Rancho’s campus.
Leading a contingent of 16 Viking men in the junior varsity race was sophomore Hayden Dalsing, who posted a faster time than both Herbst and Tesfamichael with a 16:57 (6:13) to finish within the top 20 of the race. Newcomer and junior Isaac Reis demonstrated his strong varsity potential by also posting a faster time than Tesfamichael with a 17:01 (6:15). Rounding out the top five were freshman Lucas Morthole, football player turned promising runner Justin Parks, and returning senior Josh Jones. Completing the top seven were freshman Jaymon George with an 18:44 (6:53) and sophomore Dillon Kiernan 18:51 (6:55) -an impressive performance considering Kiernan had only been out for the team for two days!
Montgomery XC 