Dana Hills boys win third state title in a row

FRESNO - While the personnel and running ideology has evolved over the years for the Dana Hills boys cross country team, the one common result is continued success.

With a chance Saturday to add to its list of illustrious accomplishments, the Dolphins seized the opportunity with the team-first approach it used successfully throughout the 2009 season.

Dana Hills placed all five of its scoring runners in the top 40 and became only the second team in Division I history to win three consecutive CIF state championships at Woodward Park.

"I'm actually shocked by this," said Dana Hills head coach Tim Butler. "Knowing that the competition was top caliber, the kids had to do more, work harder and be more focused.

"We're the deepest team in the state, and all nine guys stayed together throughout the season."

The Dolphins (104 points) didn't have a runner finish higher than junior Ricardo Campuzano, who was 14th overall in 15:36, but all five of their runners finished within 25 seconds of each other.

Dana Hills joined Hart (1990-92) as the only Division I squads to win three consecutive titles.

Royal (113 points) finished second, and Arcadia (115 points) third.

Anaheim senior Jose Madera (15:04) was the top county runner in the race, finishing fourth.

"I wanted to make up for my mistakes last week at (CIF-SS) Divisional Finals," said Madera. "My goal this season was to get top five at state and I made it."

The Laguna Beach boys team capped a memorable season by claiming its first Division IV state title since 2004.

"We stayed composed in the first mile, and when the guys needed to focus, they did and we're thrilled to win," said Breakers coach Dave Brobeck.

The Breakers (69 points) received a huge boost from junior Matt Neev (15:44), who kicked into high gear over the last portion of the race to finish second. The Breakers had four runners finish in the top 10 to finish well ahead of second-place McFarland (122 points).

"I knew there was a huge pack and at the end I had my kick," said Neev. "We really wanted to win this badly, but our Coach made sure that we did nothing different that what we've been doing."

The best individual time of the day by a county runner was turned in the Division II final by Edison senior Matt McElroy (15:02), who battled the leaders throughout the race and finished second to Loyola junior Elias Gedyon (15:00).

"The last mile, I gave it all that I had and I separated myself from the pack," said McElroy. "Second place is a big accomplishment that I'm happy with."

In the team competition, Valencia (167 points) finished third.