CIF State XC Championships Recap - Girls Division 3

Santa Rosa Montgomery made history Saturday in the Division 3 girls final at the CIF State Cross Country Championships, just not by Hanne Thomsen achieving a fourth career title.

That’s because Abigail Errington and South Pasadena enjoyed the most significant day in program history by securing both individual and team crowns for the first time at Woodward Park in Fresno.

D3 Girls Abigail Errington (South Pasadena, 10/25/2024)

Errington became the first female competitor in the division to eclipse the 17-minute barrier on the 5-kilometer layout at Woodward Park by clocking 16:57.5, leading five South Pasadena scorers in the top 75 to prevail with 106 points.

The success of Errington and South Pasadena showcased the first time since 2010 that an athlete won both Division 3 individual and team championships in the same year, with Campolindo’s Carrie (Verdon) Ellwood achieving the feat.

Errington was able to produce one of the most significant turnarounds at the state meet, rebounding from finishing 43rd in 19:24.8 in the Division 4 final last season to secure her first career title. 

Point Loma placed second with 149 points, securing the first podium appearance in program history, and Santa Margarita took third for the second year in a row with 163 points, holding off last year’s champion Cathedral Catholic at 165 points.

Although Thomsen, a three-time Division 3 champion, was unable to become the fourth female athlete in California prep history to win four titles following a second-place finish in 17:21.6, she still contributed to a remarkable achievement for Santa Rosa Montgomery.

Seelah Kittelstrom secured fourth in 17:38.9 and Amrie Lacefield achieved fifth in 17:39.3 for the Vikings, joining Thomsen in becoming the only trio of teammates in division history to all place in the top five in the same year in the state final.

Errington and Thomsen both qualified to compete Dec. 7 at Nike Cross Nationals at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Ore.

D3 Girls Hanne Thomsen (Santa Rosa Montgomery, 10/12/2024)

Irvine High junior Summer Wilson, who prevailed against both Errington and Thomsen on Oct. 12 at the 45th ASICS Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park, took third Saturday in 17:30.8.

D3 Girls Summer Wilson (Irvine, 11/23/2024)

Jocelyn Gibson, a senior at Cathedral Catholic, secured sixth in her state meet debut in 17:40.0.

West Covina’s Becky Osorio secured seventh in 17:43.2, Santana’s Harper Diaz earned eighth in 17:44.2, Oak Park’s Sophia Perez achieved ninth in 17:46.5 and Calabasas senior Sofia Francini took 10th in 17:48.4, just ahead of Santa Fe senior Serenity Fausto in 11th in 17:50.6.

Saidbh Byrne supported Errington for South Pasadena by placing 12th in 17:53.3, with Maya Lee achieving 37th in 18:40.8, Sofia Humphrey capturing 44th in 18:52.0 and Amelie Geoffron taking 72nd in 19:17.0 for the Tigers, who elevated from a sixth-place performance last year in the Division 4 final.

Isabella Ramos, a junior, led runner-up Point Loma by finishing 27th in 18:26.5, as all five scorers for the Pointers placed in the top 70.

Santa Margarita junior Alahna Thomas achieved 23rd in 18:19.8, as the Eagles had five competitors finish in the top 75.

By Erik Boal