San Marcos High School celebrated a double‑header of success at the Channel/Pacific View Cross Country Championship held Saturday in Santa Barbara. The girls varsity team clinched the Channel League title by narrowly defeating Ventura, while the Royals boys team earned a commendable second‑place finish.
Girls varsity race
Junior Elsie Tuttle surged ahead in the final stretch to claim the individual 3‑mile victory with a time of 18:33.3. She edged out senior teammate Autumn Richardson, who crossed the finish line at 18:34.4, securing the top two spots for San Marcos. The victory gave the school enough points to outpace Ventura and capture the league crown.
Dos Pueblos placed third, led by Iyla Herrick who finished in 19:18.1. The strong performance from San Marcos’ top runners propelled the team to the top of the league standings.
Pacific View League honors
In the Pacific View League segment of the competition, Santa Barbara High School junior Sydney Burgoyne took first place with a time of 19:48.7. The Dons finished fourth overall in the league race.
Boys varsity race
Senior Derek Luna of Rio Mesa repeated as the winner of the boys’ 3‑mile race, posting a dominant time of 14:39.0. San Marcos sophomore August Singer followed in second place with a time of 15:16.8, leading the Royals to a solid second‑place team finish.
Dos Pueblos’ senior Ian McMurtry ran 15:44.7, placing fifth overall and helping his team finish fourth in the league.
Pacific View League boys
Santa Barbara junior Kik Van Engelen was the first across the line in the Pacific View League race, finishing in 16:04.7. The Dons rounded out the top four overall.
The championship showcased the depth of talent across the region’s high‑school cross‑country programs and highlighted the dedication of student‑athletes, coaches, and families who support them. San Marcos’ dual success reflects a strong program built on hard work, community support, and a commitment to excellence on and off the course.
Both the girls and boys teams will look ahead to upcoming meets as they aim to maintain their momentum throughout the season, representing Santa Barbara County with pride.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
