In the world of California cross-country, excitement reached a fever pitch as the Central Coast Section Championship meet unfolded. For enthusiasts like us, it’s the pinnacle of the season – a race that’s both exhilarating and bittersweet, as it signals the season’s end.
But let’s not dwell on farewells just yet, because when it comes to the last race of the year, it’s time to leave it all on the course! And that’s precisely what our MVXC runners did.
At 2:40 pm on Saturday, November 11, the starting gun fired, and Tanay Parikh took off with the best runners in the CCS. The one-mile mark saw him comfortably nestled in the lead pack, tackling a challenging hill with determination.
As the race hurtled toward its conclusion, Tanay found himself locked in a battle with three other SCVAL runners. They were vying for the coveted 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th spots, and the intensity was palpable. All four charged across the finish line within a mere 3.3 seconds of each other, with Tanay clinching an impressive 9th place.
Tanay clocked in at 15:47, shattering his personal record by seven seconds. His time now stands as the seventh-fastest ever recorded by a Monta Vista boy at Crystal. Well done, Tanay!
Next up, it was the turn of the Monta Vista girls to take center stage. This is the 13th consecutive year that a Monta Vista girls’ team earned their ticket to the CCS championships, and our girls were ready to carry on a proud championship legacy.
As the race kicked off, Captain Anika Bhandarkar positioned herself smartly around 33rd place at the one-mile mark, with Margaux Francoeur not far behind. In a strategic display, Anika executed her race plan flawlessly, steadily moving up. By the two-mile mark, she had climbed to 25th place, and with a final mile push, she overtook two more competitors, ultimately clinching an impressive 23rd place.
Meanwhile, Margaux secured her spot in 48th place, while Valerie Ayzenberg unleashed a strong move in the last mile, surging past nine opponents to finish 61st. Not to be outdone, Madi Polidoro overtook four runners to take 69th place. Katie Lee delivered a solid performance, completing the team scoring with a 90th place finish, and Megan Nieh wasn’t far behind.
The collective effort landed the girls in 12th place. While freshman Miranda Hsu was missed due to illness, we’ll have her back in the thick of the action, running with the leaders in 2024.
In a strong finale, our seniors Margaux, Madi, and Valerie capped off their Monta Vista cross-country careers with personal records at Crystal, as did Katie Lee. It was a fitting tribute to their dedication and hard work.
Well done, girls! Your indomitable spirit is a part of the Monta Vista legacy.
Complete results are posted.
Alumni Spotlight
In theworld of collegiate cross-country, our former MVXC stars continue to shine. Triya Roy (MVXC 2020) made her presence felt by clinching 7th place finish in the NCAA D3 Mid-Atlantic regional. Her performance played a pivotal role as the Johns Hopkins University Bluejays secured the region championship, earning themselves a ticket to the NCAA nationals.
Rohun Agrawal (MVXC 2021) showcased his talent by securing an impressive 6th place in the Western Division regional while representing CalTech. Both Triya and Rohun will compete in the NCAA championships, set to unfold on Saturday, November 18.
The entire MVXC community swells with pride for these two runners. Their dedication and pursuit of excellence have brought them to the NCAA championships, representing two of the finest universities on the planet.
Let’s cheer for Triya and Rohun as they chase glory in the NCAA championships. Their journey from MVXC to the national spotlight is nothing short of inspirational!
