DOWNEY - The Warren High School boys' cross country team has earned another San Gabriel Valley League championship.The Bears dominated the third and final cluster meet at La Mirada Park on Tuesday and literally ran away from their competition. Bear sophomore Benjamin Gonzalez set a new course record with a time of 15:31. The previous record was held by Warren's Omar Torres from last year in a time of 15:42. Gonzalez shattered Torres' time. The Bears entered six runners in the final league competition and all six ran well. The Bears took 6 of the top 13 places: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 11th and 13th and easily defeated Paramount, Gahr, Downey, Dominguez and Lynwood. The Bears finished with 26 points, Paramount finished with 56 points, Gahr finished with 68 points, Downey finished with 80 points, Dominguez finished with 148 points and Lynwood finished with 165 points. As previously mentioned, Bear sophomore Benjamin Gonzalez finished first in a time of 15:31. Bear senior Fortino Santana finished third in a time of 15:47, Bear sophomore Jonathan Rodriguez finished fourth in a time of 16:09, Bear junior Micheal Hernandez finished seventh in a time of 16:21, Bear senior Ramiro Santana finished eleventh in a time of 16:36 and Bear sophomore Andres Bernal finished thirteenth in a time of 16:43. Downey senior Andres Velasco finished second in a time of 15:40, Paramount senior Antonio Arredondo finished fifth in a time of 16:09, Gahr senior Eddie Fernandez finished sixth in a time of 16:17, Gahr sophomore DaVon Walker finished eighth in a time of 16:27, Gahr sophomore Anthony Alfaro finished ninth in a time of 16:33, Paramount senior Anthony Raygoza finished tenth in a time of 16:34 and Paramount junior Jerry Pleitez finished twelveth in a time of 16:41 to round out the top thirteen placers. The Warren junior varsity and frosh/soph teams also captured league titles at La Mirada on Tuesday. Things certainly look very good for the future of the Warren High School cross country program. Coach Miranda is very pleased with how hard his runners have trained and competed at all levels this season. C.I.F. awaits Warren, Paramount and Gahr. Downey, which finished in fourth place overall, did not qualify for C.I.F.

********** Published: November 1, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 29