36th annual Coach Jerry Downey Cross Country Classic

San Diego-High Tech (North County) senior Mitchell Gibbons assumed an early lead and held off a late charge from Crawford Junior Leo Lorenzano to win the 36th annual Coach Jerry Downey Cross Country Classic at Morley Field.

The Raptors senior, who has been impressive this fall (clocking 15:12 at Woodbridge last week) ran 16:19.1 to edge Lorenzano (16:24.6).

Santa Fe Christian senior Evan Smith (16:37.6) was fourth before three consecutive from the eventual team champion Liberty Charter.

Aiden Burr (4th 16:42.7), Luke Mapes (5th 16:44.2) and Sam Rohrer (6th 16:45.2) helped the Lions to the title with a 37 point tally.

Crawford (88) was second and Classical Academy of Escondido (118) third.

The girls race was the closest of the day, as the leader from the gun, Olivia Teates (Francis Parker)
was reeled in by Lillian Jarrett (Mission Bay) with 800 meters to go. But Teates, a 57.98 400 meter runner last spring, found enough to sprint and retake the lead-eventually winning in 19:38.2 to 19:41.8

Bella Sword of Classical Academy finished third in 20:00.0 to lead the Caimans to the team title, edging Christian 92-98 in the final tally.

Recap written by Matt Farmer