CROSS COUNTRY NOTEBOOK: CHANGE IN COURSE IS NICE CHANGE OF PACE.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News The Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, Invitational in·vi·ta·tion·al adj. Restricted to invited participants: an invitational golf tournament. n. An event, especially a sports tournament, restricted to invited participants. Adj. 1. is changing course. The annual high school cross country competition has been moved to Lake Castaic this morning, marking the first time in the meet's 15-year history the competition has not been held at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. . The move to Lake Castaic resolves concerns by COC See chip on chip. that the event would conflict with the Cougars' football game tonight against Hancock. The course finishes on the track, but the meet has usually been completed by 1 p.m., well before the 7 p.m. kickoff. Meet organizer and Canyon High cross country coach Dave DeLong believes the move might be beneficial in the long run because of the superior facilities at Lake Castaic. In contrast to the hilly hill·y adj. hill·i·er, hill·i·est 1. Having many hills. 2. Similar to a hill; steep. hill , out-and-back course at COC, the 3-mile Lake Castaic course, with gentle rolling hills Rolling hills are like a mountain chain, only a "hill chain" of hills that roll on and on continually. You will often find them in between plains and mountains, near major rivers, or randomly anywhere. The only places without rolling hills are deserts and flood plains. on grass, dirt and asphalt asphalt (ăs`fôlt, –fălt), brownish-black substance used commonly in road making, roofing, and waterproofing. Chemically, it is a natural mixture of hydrocarbons. , offers several opportunities for spectators to view the race as well as ample shade. At Lake Castaic, the 10 races will start in 20-minute intervals, whereas at COC each race had to be completed before another could start. Lake Castaic is also better suited to handle traffic and parking for the 44 schools and more than 500 competitors. DeLong, who has promoted triathlons at Lake Castaic for several years, is planning to lobby for Foothill League meets in the future to be held at Lake Castaic instead of COC as well. ``You can make 10 different courses, all on grass, all on dirt or all on cement,'' DeLong said. ``At first I was a little bit unexcited about the race but now I feel really good about it and the facility.'' The girls' competition will be high caliber, with Lauren Fleshman of Canyon, the 1997 state Division I runner-up; Quartz Hill, paced by sophomore Shell Blevins and defending City champion Birmingham, led by three-time City 1,600-meter champion Tiffany Tiffany, Tiffanie (UK) a semi-longhaired version of the Burmese cat. It has a fine, silky coat in many colors. Burgess. The boys' field includes Don Lugo and Bell Gardens, fifth and 10th in the Southern Section Division I rankings, and Golden League champion Lancaster. Saugus, fourth in the latest state Division I rankings, will also compete but will hold out its top five runners in preparation for next week's Mt. San Antonio College Mt. San Antonio College (commonly called Mt. SAC; pronounced as the word "sack") is a community college located in the Los Angeles suburb of Walnut, California, next to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona which is just over a hill. Mt. Invitational. THEY'RE RUNNING What: Santa Clarita Invitational Where: Lake Castaic, lower lake When: Today, 8:45 a.m. Details: More than 40 schools and 500 competitors are expected for the cross country meet, which will be held at Lake Castaic for the first time in meet history after 15 years at College of the Canyons. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--2) Quartz Hill's Shell Blevins, left, and Lauren Fleshman of Canyon High will be among the top runners in today's Santa Clarita Invitational. Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News BOX: THEY`RE RUNNING (see text) |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion