Experienced PV girls eyeing CIF-SS crown
The Palos Verdes girls cross country team knows the competition standing in its way as it pursues a CIF Southern Section championship this season.
The Sea Kings, currently ranked fifth in the CIF-SS Division 4 poll, will have to contend with powerhouse JSerra, along with schools such as Oaks Christian and Harvard-Westlake.
Last season, JSerra, Oaks Christian and La Canada finished in the top three, respectively, in the CIF-SS finals, and Palos Verdes finished in fourth place.
JSerra is No. 2 in the boys Division 4 poll, with St. Francis at No. 1.
No matter the competition, the Sea Kings' group is gearing up for the challenge.
“What makes this a great group is that they weren't seniors last year, we didn't lose them to graduation,” coach Brian Shapiro said. “The kids have been running championship races for a few years and they're bringing a ton of experience to the table.”
Through their first two meets of the season, the Sea Kings have showed their talents. At the Iolani Invitational, Palos Verdes finished first (48 points). The trio of Natalie Wang (senior), Kate Sherry (junior) and Sophie Stoddart (senior) finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, leading the way. Ivanka Malysheva and Maddie Farnsworth were 15th and 18th, respectively.
At the Woodbridge Classic, Wang (17:57.3) led the field in the Red Varsity A race, with Sherry and Stoddart posting fourth- and eighth-place times, leading Palos Verdes to a firstplace finish in the team standings (54 points).
Malysheva and Farnsworth were 23rd and 28th, respectively.
PV will add Makenzie Kordic next week after the transfer sitout period ends.
“Runners go through cycles of cross country and track and then a big summer of building up their endurance,” Shapiro said. “The whole group had a nice summer, logged a lot of miles, lot of prep and they've entered the season in great shape.” NOTES >> Palos Verdes will host the Palos Verdes Invitational on Friday.
Other South Bay girls teams ranked in their CIF-SS divisions: Redondo (No. 6) and Mira Costa (No. 10) in Division 1; West Torrance (No. 2) and South Torrance (No. 5) in Division 3.
South Bay boys teams ranked in their CIF-SS Divisions: Mira Costa (No. 6) and Redondo (No. 8) in Division 1; Palos Verdes (No. 4) in Division 4 and Hawthorne MSA (No. 6 in Division 5).
THURSDAY Marine League Narbonne (3-3) at Carson (6-0), 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Marine League
San Pedro (3-2) at Gardena (6-0), 7:30 p.m.
Western League
Venice (1-4) at Westchester (2-3), 7:30p.m.
Bay League
Mira Costa (0-5) at Culver City (3-2)
Palos Verdes (5-0) at Santa Monica (5-0), 6:30 p.m. Peninsula (3-2) at Redondo (4-1)
Ocean League
Beverly Hills (1-4) at Leuzinger (2-3)
Inglewood (3-2) at Centennial (1-4) Morningside (1-4) vs. Hawthorne (1-4) at El Camino College
Mission League
Chaminade (3-2) at Serra (3-2)
Pioneer League
North Torrance (2-3) at El Segundo (3-2) Torrance (3-2) at Lawndale (2-3)
West Torrance (0-5) at South Torrance (2-3)
Camino Real League
Cantwell-Sacred Heart (5-1, 2-0) at Bishop Montgomery (4-2, 2-0)
SATURDAY Camino Real League
Mary Star (0-5, 0-2) at Bosco Tech (3-3, 0-2) 8-man
Chadwick (3-0) at Cate (0-2), 2 p.m.