Tartan Cross Country Teams Pacing Themselves Through Tough Competition

St. Margaret's cross country program had strong showings over the past two weeks to wrap up the preseason as they set their sights on a Pacific Hills League title and a return to the California State Championships.

The Laguna Hills Invitational resulted in three individual race winners with Heidi Beshk, Malcolm Capelle, and Zach Causee all breaking from the field early in their respective races. Although the race format has the athletes in their grade divisions, the composite team times were the fastest posted by the Tartans in the past five years.

"The challenging nature of the Laguna Hills racecourse is necessary work as we look forward to the CIF Championships at Mt. SAC," said head coach Patrick Bendzick. "It's always our first real test of the year, and I was very impressed with how our young athletes responded. The depth they add to the roster will be a critical component moving forward."

The Woodbridge Invitational was held this past weekend and is regarded as the largest and fastest invitational in the nation. Teams from all over the country converged at the Orange County Great Park for two nights of racing under the lights.
 
The varsity girls team posted the fastest 3-mile team time in school history with an 18:29 average, while the boys posted the second fastest time with an average of 15:36. Joyce Li moved up to No. 4 all time by clocking in at 17:33, and Malcolm Capelle posted the fastest freshman time in school history at 15:50.

"The intensity of the race is incredibly high, but the team managed it well. There were so many great performances, but Coco Johnson (18:25) and Charles Martin (16:47) certainly stood out. Both were fearless in how they attacked the second half, and their efforts resulted in massive positive momentum for the rest of the team," said Bendzick. "It was an impressive two nights of racing, and they were certainly the catalyst."

Next up for the Tartans is the Pacific Hills League Preview meet on October 2 at Oak Canyon Park in Silverado. St. Margaret's will be hosting the event, which will be the first race of the year with postseason implications.