header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Photo by Ferraz Photography

In the beginning of the varsity girls’ cross-country race Thursday afternoon, Maddie Dignadice looked like San Luis Obispo legend Jordan Hasay.

Way out in front, not afraid of anyone, and so smooth, she looked as if she was out on a Sunday morning jog.

In the end of the varsity boys’ race at Santa Clarita Central Park, Sam Peckham looked similar to San Francisco University’s Holland Reynolds.

Collapsed from both exhaustion and dehydration, nearly unable to move, but still too stubborn yet courageous to quit.

As for the five-time defending California state champions in Saugus High?

The girls in blue and white reminded everyone of the same Lady Cents of 2010. And 2009. And 2008. And 2007. And 2006.

Very focused, very determined and incredibly hungry for the Golden State’s biggest prize in late-November.

On a day when Saugus sophomore Abigail Frankian continued her undefeated dream season by winning the frosh/soph girls race by almost two minutes, and junior teammate Nina Sassano won her second consecutive race by winning the junior varsity campaign in a time that would of seen her tenth in the “big dogs” race, Valencia junior Dignadice gapped the entire varsity girls field by nearly 200 meters over the first mile and stayed there for a majority of the 2.9-mile race.

In the race were two all-state honorees in Saugus’ Karis Frankian and Jenay Jauregui, as well as Golden Valley High junior Chelsey Totten, the fastest returning performer from last year’s finals. Despite a very conservative first mile, Frankian caught the junior phenom just after two miles and went on to win by 25 seconds in 18 minutes, 18 seconds, while Dignadice hung on tough in second (18:43). Jauregui closed quickly over the final 1,200 meters, but ran out of room, taking a solid third in 18:50. Frankian, Dignadice and Jauregui were the only ladies to break the 19-minute barrier on Thursday. Meanwhile, Valencia’s Arianna Michaels stunned everyone with a sensational fourth place finish in her varsity league debut, finishing in 19:02, just ahead of Totten (19:06).

After those top five, the Saugus girls dominance began with Katie Huntington (19:14), Tiffany West (19:22), Jordan McCall (19:23) and Heidi Hoslet (19:30) finishing 6-9. Tenth went to Golden Valley junior Abby Buckoff, although the junior varsity winner in Sassano of Saugus ran a second faster than Buckoff. The younger Frankian, Abigail, also ran a terrific solo race at the frosh/soph level (19:43), while senior Emily McCarty had an off day, finishing 15th in the varsity race. Valencia finished a solid second, while the Canyon girls were the story of the day, upsetting both strong West Ranch and Golden Valley squads in third, although standouts Taylor Welker, younger sister of 14th place finisher Ashley Welker, and Weslie Totten, twin sister of Chelsey, didn’t compete.

On the boys’ side, Golden Valley senior Kristian Martinez finally got the chance to redeem himself after a disappointing 12th place finish in last year’s finals; however, Hart’s Sam Peckham stole the show with his courageous finish after collapsing near the finish due to dehydration and exhaustion. Last fall, Peckham was unable to perform at the finals due to a stress fracture in his foot. Heading into the finals, both Martinez and Peckham were the favorites to win the individual gold medal. Although Peckham’s finish was a courageous effort, his 12th place finish proved to be the difference in the team standings as Saugus, the five-time defending champions, slipped by the Indians by a single point for second. Junior AJ Yarnell had a phenomenal performance too. Golden Valley’s Martinez lead the final mile, but it wasn’t easy as the Saugus standout trailed Martinez with just 500 meters remaining. Martinez’s 1:54 800-meter speed was too much to handle though as the veteran pulled away for a six second win, the second cross country league win of his young, brilliant career, and a new course record of 15 minutes, 34 seconds.

Golden Valley made it clear to the entire Foothill League that they are indeed the favorites for this year’s championship and probably impossible to beat as they put their entire scoring contigent in the top seven with Juan David Garcia in third, Nolan Del Valle in fourth, Aaron Nguyen in sixth and Gabe Levy anchoring the team in seventh. Canyon’s Zachary Wims rounded out the top five individually, setting a new school record in 15:55 for the Cowboys.

NOTES: Saugus High girls won all three team and individual races, while the Centurions received a team win from the junior varsity squad and individual wins from Cole Helm and Anthony Rosales. The Hart boys ran down Saugus in the final 400 meters of the frosh/soph race, bolstered by third and fourth place finishes from freshmen Mac Kaufman and Ruben Rubira.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The Master's University men's volleyball team took to the road and came away with a 3-set victory, 25-19, 25-16, 25-22, over the Hope International Royals in Fullerton.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Battling back from a 12-point deficit, The Master's University basketball team had the lead late but could not hold it, losing to the No. 1 seed Freed-Hardeman 68-69 in the Round of 16 at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
GOLETA — College of the Canyons fielded two teams at the annual 3C2A State Preview event at Sandpiper Golf Course on Monday, with the Cougars finishing sixth and eighth in the field of 18 teams from around the state. 

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com