Millikan's Parra, Mejia win Moore League Finals
LONG BEACH ❯❯ It was a historic run by Millikan senior Jason Parra that rewrote the record books at the Moore League Cross Country Finals at Heartwell Park on Wednesday.
Parra, a Notre Dame commit, won his fourth straight league title, this time in a new course record of 14 minutes and 30 seconds over the flat, 3-mile grass course.
“It takes so much hard work,” Parra said. “It takes getting up early in the morning and doing what needs to be done.
“The training, the recovery, not going out to parties, not doing stuff that you really shouldn't be doing along with Halloween was last night. I didn't go trick-or-treating or anything like that.”
It was also the first time since 1992 the Millikan boys cross country team won the Moore League. The Rams took seven of the top eight spots, finishing with 17 points, which is just two points from a perfect score.
Parra was first, Aiden Ransom was second in 15:23, Max Ramirez was third in 15:37, Jack Brown was fifth in 15:52,
Emmett Wechsler was sixth in 16:01, Eric Plascencia was seventh in 16:06 and Michael Brief was eighth in 16:13.
“We're very proud and very happy,” said Millikan boys cross country coach Pedro Ramirez. “It's been 31 years and I know we won the first two (Moore League meets) but you never know, weirder things have happened, so I was very happy that it happened and we did it.
“From here on we want to continue that success moving forward. This was one of our goals. Our next goal is to make it to the state meet so we have to perform to do that.”
Parra said the historic individual and team wins were the culmination of four years of hard work.
“Just knowing that the guys on the team have my back and I have their back, helped me all the way to the end,” Parra said.
Parra and Ramirez believe Wednesday's victory could be a pivotal movement, leading to several years of future successes.
“It's incredible,” Parra said. “I think it shows great promise for the future for the team, and I wanted to give everything I could and to show my teams that we can do anything.” “I think this is a pivot moment,” Ramirez said. “I think guys finally see that their work paid off.
“We have proof now. We're league champions so I think that will fuel them to keep going and keep training. The younger guys, the frosh/soph guys who won, now they see that their varsity won, so I think it will keep us going and I think it is a pivot moment.”
Wilson was led by Kyle Holland's fourth-place finish in 15:52 and finished second in the team race.
It was the first time in 16 years that Long Beach Poly's boys team did not win the Moore League title. Poly finished third.
Millikan sophomore Nadia Mejia won the girls race in 17:37 seconds for her first league title.
“I wasn't expecting for me to do the first mile at 5:30,” said Mejia, who took an early 30-second lead in the race. “But seeing that I was able to hold it and I kept pushing even though my body was aching, it was hurting really bad, I just wanted to get it over with.”
Long Beach Poly, scored 24 points to win the Moore League team title.
TODAY'S CIF-SS FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES
LOS ALAMITOS (8-2) VS. UPLAND (8-2) Where, when: Westminster High, 7p.m.
Analysis: Los Alamitos clinched its fourth consecutive Sunset League championship by beating Edison 21-10in Week 10. Anthony League, Lenny Ibarra and Jerod Terry had touchdown runs for the Griffins. USC commit Isaiah Rubin had a late interception and the defensive line featuring Manoah Faupusa, Liki Lotulalei and Jackson Raguse shut down the Edison running game. Junior quarterback Alonzo Esparza has playoff experience at his previous two schools: Sierra Canyon and Culver City. Upland was the Co-Baseline League champion this season with Rancho Cucamonga. The Highlanders are led by running back Trent Dailey and dual-threat quarterback Noah Sandoval. Upland reached the Division 3championship last season and lost to Yorba Linda. The Griffins reached the Division 1semifinals last season and lost to Mater Dei.
MILLIKAN (7-3) VS. VILLA PARK (9-1) Where, when: El Modena High, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Millikan was in the Division 6playoffs in 2021, the Division 4playoffs in 2022 and has moved up to the Division 3 playoffs this season. JP Mialovski completed 12of 15 passes for 278yards with four touchdowns last week against Cabrillo. Ryan Pellum had a receiving touchdown and a punt return touchdown. Loyall Mouzon announced his commitment to Fresno State this week. Villa Park is the co-champion of the Crestview League with Yorba Linda and Foothill. Nate Lewis threw six touchdown passes last week against Brea Olinda. Jared Hoggard had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions on defense. Running back and linebacker Carter Christie is an excellent two-way player for Villa Park. The teams have one common opponent this season: Villa Park beat Upland 35-23and Millikan lost to Upland 28-16.
WARREN (8-2) AT TUSTIN (10-0) Where, when: Tustin High, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Warren beat its last two opponents, La Mirada and Dominguez, by a combined score of 90-12. Madden Iamaleava threw for 278yards and four touchdowns last week against Dominguez. Colorado State commit Jordan Ross had 128yards receiving with a touchdown reception and Hezeikiah Robinson had a 40-yard touchdown catch. JT Houston had two sacks to lead the defense and Jojo Edwards added one. Tustin is the only undefeated team in Orange County. MacKenzie Alleyne and Eimesse Essis are the two big play threats for the Tillers and UCLA commit Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins is a lockdown cornerback. Expect Tustin to assign Ross to Dunbar-Hawkins in man coverage which is a fun matchup. Warren is 1-1against Tustin but the two schools have not played since 2005.
DOWNEY (8-2) AT CAPISTRANO VALLEY (7-3) Where, when: Capistrano Valley High, 7p.m.
Analysis: Downey won the Division 4 championship last season and is back in the Division 4bracket this season. Oscar Rios threw for 285yards and three touchdowns last week in a win over La Mirada. Freshman Damani Porras had 93yards receiving with a touchdown. Oscar Aguilar led the defense with 11tackles and an interception return for a touchdown. Capistrano Valley began the season 7-0but went 0-3in a very difficult South Coast League. Tommy Acosta is a dual-threat quarterback who has 14passing touchdowns and 15touchdowns on the ground. UC Davis commit Jackson Sievers leads the Capo Valley defense with 132tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles. Downey beat Capo Valley 41-21in the Division 4playoffs in 2017. Both teams have a convincing win over El Toro this season.