News Summary

The 44th Woodbridge Cross Country Classic saw over 500 high schools competing, with Lily Alder from Timpview, Utah, winning the Bob Day Girls Sweepstakes race. Alder finished with a remarkable time of 15:40 flat, narrowly defeating La Jolla’s Chiara Dailey by just 1.6 seconds. The event showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition among both male and female athletes, with Jackson Spencer from Utah winning the boys’ division and multiple schools vying for team titles. The exciting atmosphere and outstanding performances solidified the event’s status as a top cross country competition.

Irvine, California

The 44th Woodbridge Cross Country Classic turned out to be an exciting spectacle over the weekend, especially for the athletes that braved the fields of Irvine. With more than 500 high schools participating, the competition was fierce, but one name shone brightly: Lily Alder from Timpview, Utah.

Lily Alder’s Stunning Victory

In the much-anticipated Bob Day Girls Sweepstakes race, Alder showcased her incredible talent and determination. As she approached the finish line, the pressure was palpable. In a nail-biting finale, she managed to surge past La Jolla’s Chiara Dailey in the final yards, clinching her victory with a remarkable time of 15:40 flat. Completing the race just 1.6 seconds ahead of Dailey was a feat that no one at the event would soon forget.

Interestingly, this win comes a year after Alder secured a third-place finish in the same race, posting a time of 15:28.9 — just a blink away from Dailey in that race. This year, however, it was all about victory and reclaiming that spotlight.

Top Contenders

Coming in strong after Alder and Dailey, Jaelyn Williams from Chula Vista Eastlake showcased her skills as she claimed the third spot with a finishing time of 15:52. Not far behind was Summer Wilson from Irvine, who finished fourth with a time of 15:54.1. Wilson, who is committed to Duke, expressed her desire to have performed better, feeling a bit of regret for leading the race too early. Nonetheless, her effort added to the overall excitement of the competition.

As for team performances, last year’s record-holder, Rylee Blade from Corona Santiago, who now competes for Florida State, was certainly on everyone’s mind as her former school triumphed by securing the team title with a total of 196 points.

Some Notable Mentions

In the mix, Braelyn Combe, an Arkansas-bound senior and former teammate of Blade, placed seventh in the race with a respectable time of 16:11.1. This just goes to show the depth of talent present at the event.

On the Boys’ Side

Meanwhile, things were equally thrilling in the boys’ division where Jackson Spencer from Herriman, Utah, won the Doug Speck Boys Sweepstakes race with a time of 13:42.1. Although his achievement was commendable, it fell short of the meet record established by Owen Powell last year at 13:30.3. Nevertheless, Spencer’s triumph helped lead his team to their fourth consecutive championship title—an impressive accomplishment!

In other boys’ race news, Owen Souther from Canyon Country Canyon finished second in the Gold Varsity A race with a time of 14:41.8, and the Oak Park boys secured the Gold Varsity A team victory with a total score of 203 points.

A Flourish of Female Talent

The Gold Varsity A girls race also had its own stars, with Delaney Napierala from Oaks Christian snagging the win with a personal-best time of 17:01.6, narrowly defeating Jenna Murray from Moorpark who recorded a time of 17:03.8.

The thrilling atmosphere continued with Westlake freshman Sabina Cruz, who won the Gold Varsity B race in an electrifying finish, edging out Autumn Banks of Tahoe-Truckee by a slim margin of just one second with a time of 16:50.7.

Wrapping Up the Event

With so many breathtaking performances and a spirit of camaraderie among competitors, the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic certainly lived up to its reputation as a premier event in the cross country calendar. Athletes now turn their eyes toward future meets, but this weekend’s memories will linger on as a highlight in their running journeys.

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