SD Prep Sports: Cross Country

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Metro runners looking up to Mar Vista' Troy Swier

By Phillip Brents

CHULA VISTA, Sept. 21, 2001 -- Mar Vista sophomore Troy Swier is quickly making himself the man to beat in the early going of the 2001 high school cross country season. Swier, the team’s Most Valuable Runner last year as a freshman, won his second consecutive invitational title by timing 16 minutes, 10 seconds on the 3.1-mile course at this year's 16-team South Bay Invitational at Rohr Park.

The Mariner runner was coming off a first-place finish at the Sundevil Movin’ Shoes Invitational the previous Saturday when he set the third-fastest time in the sophomore race in the history of the event.

"My strategy usually depends on the teams that are there," the soft-spoken Swier said following his performance at the South Bay Invitational. "I usually stay as close to the lead as I can and when I feel it’s the time, if I have anything left, I go."

That moment came at the two-mile mark when he passed race leader Eric Dunn of Pt. Loma who finished second in 16:23.

Swier’s initial season goal was to make amends for a poor performance at last year’s San Diego Section finals. Now that he appears to be progressively getting stronger this season, those goals may be revised to doing very well in the postseason.

In the intervening month, however, he will concentrate on helping his teammates successfully defend their South Bay League dual meet title against challenges from both a rejuvenated Eastlake team and Hilltop.

"Eastlake will be tough," Swier said. "If all our runners are feeling good, it should be a close race."

* * *

Bonita Vista came away with one team championship and two runner-up finishes at this year’s South Bay Invitational to lead local squads.

The Barons boys junior varsity team captured first place in its division after posting a first-finish the previous week at the Oasis Invitational in Mesquite, Nev The Barons were led at the South Bay Invitational by Phillip Chipounov (4th, 18:21), Nick Raue (5th, 18:23), Ryan Groth (6th, 18:26), Justin Hillery (7th, 18:26), Chris Wymer (24th, 19:16), Jared Purkey (28th, 19:22) and Mike Kirkwood (33rd, 19:36). Bonita Vista topped the field with 46 points ahead of Torrey Pines (70) and West Hills (97).

Hillery led the Barons at the Oasis Invitational with a second-place finish among individuals, followed by Raue (third), Groth (fourth), Purkey (sixth) and Wymer (10th).

Bonita Vista scored second-place finishes in both the girls junior varsity and varsity divisions while the Barons boys team, making steady improvement, placed seventh.

Leading the varsity girls team on the 2.5-mile course were Kate Branson (6th, 16:07). Kristen Gonzalez (7th, 16:09), Tiffany Caddell (11th, 16:24), Morgane Sigaud (21st, 16:45), Kayleigh Knudson (27th, 17:17), Kiersten Dolby (36th, 17:34) and Kristen Milliken (63rd, 18:06).

The Barons (82 points) trailed team champion San Pasqual (52) but edged North County power Torrey Pines (88).

Bonita Vista JV girls team was paced by top five scorers Angelica Torres (14th, 18:24), Julie Buettner (15th, 18:27), Dolores Rodriguez (18th, 18:33), Denisse Rosas (24th, 18:49) and Breanna Kelley (32nd, 19:09).

At the Mesquite meet, both the girls varsity and junior varsity teams recorded first-place finishes while the boys varsity team was third behind Clark, Nev., and Durango, Colo. Gonzalez led a 2-3-4-5 varsity girls individual finish as the Barons easily out-distanced runner-up Boulder, Colo.

"I’m obviously happy. All four groups were very aggressive and ran hard. It was nice to see that," said Bonita Vista head coach Ian Cumming. "As for the varsity girls, we’ve got a lot of work still ahead of us but we’re happy where we are right now. As happy as I am with the girls, I’m even happier with the varsity boys for what they did, too."

Sweetwater’s John Cleveland was third among the boys JV individual finishers in 18:18 while Eastlake’s Arturo Avina was ninth (19:09) in the boys frosh/soph race. The Titan girls team, led by sisters Pati and Silvia Romero, placed eighth in the varsity field.

For an Internet photo gallery of the South Bay invitational, please click here. For complete results, please access the Web site at http:// crowncity.com/sdtrackmag.

South Bay Invitational

Friday, Sept. 21 at Rohr Park

Girls Junior Varsity Division

Top teams (points)

Top individuals (2.5 miles)

Frosh/Soph Boys Division

Top teams (points)

Top individuals (3.1 miles)

Girls Varsity Division

Top teams (points)

Top individuals (2.5 miles)

Boys Varsity Division

Top teams (points)

Top individuals (3.1 miles)

Boys Junior Varsity Division

Top teams (points)

Top individuals (3.1 miles)