BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: Benavides makes mark

Alhambra High School senior Phillip Benavides set an Almont League record at the league finals meet and then became the first Moors runner to reach the CIF-State Meet. He also finished ninth in the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Mt. SAC. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

Player of the Year: Phillip Benavides
School: Alhambra
Grade: Senior
Notable: Benavides enjoyed great success during his senior season. He set the Almont League record during the league finals (15 minutes, 7 seconds), breaking the old mark of 15:12. He also reached the CIF-State championships, becoming the first Moors runner to do so. He suffered a bruised heel coming down the switchbacks midway during the sweepstakes race of the Mt. SAC Invitational and simply wanted to make it through the season. His goal was to break 15:10 at the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Mt. SAC and he finished ninth in 15:03. He won the Bosco Tech Invitational and finished third at the Staub/Barnes Invitational at Crescenta Valley Park. Benavides gained confidence in his potential at the Bell-Jeff Invitational at Griffith Park when he took second place in 14:13 behind Highland's Jeremy Acosta.
Quotable: "I was happy because my worst race this year was better than my best race last year."

Coach of the Year: Rick Carager, Pasadena Poly

First Team
Renaud Poizat, Arcadia, Junior
Kris Romero, Arcadia, Senior
Ryan Ernst, Arcadia, Senior
Connor Verreaux, Flintridge Prep, Junior
Will Zentmeyer, La Canada, Senior

Second Team
Christian Raether, San Marino, Senior
Andrew Yen, Maranatha, Senior
Paul Weitekamp, Flintridge Prep, Junior
Wesley DeVoll, Pasadena Poly, Sophomore
Jeffrey Hemphill, Pasadena Poly, Junior

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