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WALNUT – The fall has offered relief from the blazing sun. Cloud cover yielded perfect conditions for the CIF-Southern Section’s distance runners as action got underway on the hallowed hills of the Mt. San Antonio College cross country course.

Still, it was without much hesitation that the top-ranked Brea Olinda boys and Capistrano Valley girls proceeded with their plans to rest their top runners in the qualifying round on Saturday.

Wildcats coach Jeremy Mattern has been pleased with his team’s depth all year, and it helped him grant a reprieve to the county’s top runner, Austin Tamagno. Brea Olinda’s junior standout hopes to be running deep into the winter as he pursues a return to the Nike Nationals.

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CIF Prelims: Team and individual results

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Brea Olinda had run without Tamagno before. It did so when its ace joined the individual sweepstakes at the Mt. SAC Invitational three weeks ago. That weekend, the Wildcats were able to conquer the Division 3 field.

“After the Mt. SAC Invite, we realized that we could run really well without (Tamagno),” Mattern said. “We knew it was something that was in the cards. It’s good for him because he’s going to be racing well into December.”

Led by Austin Shellito (15:11) and Angel Escobar (15:21), the Wildcats reaffirmed their spot as kings of the cross country Division 3 jungle by defeating Rubidoux, 43-66, for the top performance in their heat.

Rubidoux’s Luis Ramos beat Shellito by four seconds. Several of the runners were seen exchanging handshakes with their competitors just beyond the finish line.

“I have so much respect for anyone who decides to do this sport,” Shellito said of the gesture.

Brea Olinda also got Chris DeDio (16:00) back from academic ineligibility. DeDio becomes an immediate option for the Wildcats as they mull over their CIF Finals lineup.

Capistrano Valley ran without Rebecca Deitch (hip), but the Cougars had no trouble qualifying by taking first in their heat. Cougars coach Ken Sayles was happy to see his team advance with no further injuries.

Deitch is expected to run in the CIF finals next week.

Canyon, Tesoro, and Woodbridge joined the Cougars as qualifiers for the girls Division 2 finals.

Canyon’s boys team pushed Brea Olinda in the Crestview League this year. The tough regular season challenge has prepared the Comanches for the postseason. Wesley Walsh (15:21) topped Claremont’s Adam Johnson by one second as Canyon narrowly beat Claremont, 43-44.

There was drama in the boys Division 1 races. Santa Ana edged Huntington Beach by five seconds to capture the 16th and last spot for the CIF finals. Dana Hills and El Toro also earned berths for the sectional championships.

JSerra’s girls will make a run at a fifth consecutive CIF title after the Lions won their Division 4 race.

In girls Division 3 action, Bolsa Grande’s Jeanette Zambrano (17:57) punched her ticket to the CIF Individuals. Northwood, Yorba Linda, Laguna Hills, Mater Dei, Esperanza, Corona del Mar, and Brea Olinda qualified as teams.

Collin Price (15:49) helped St. Margaret’s boys advance in Division 5.