Simi Valley girls edge Newbury Park on 6th runner tiebreaker

In a showdown that could go a long way toward deciding the Marmonte League champion, Simi Valley -- ranked No. 6 in Southern Section Div. II -- prevailed on a No. 6 runner tiebreaker Tuesday in its showdown with No. 9 Newbury Park at Cal Lutheran after the teams finished in a 28-28 tie.

Simi Valley junior Liberty Miller cruised to victory, covering the 3-mile course in 19 minutes, 37 seconds, well ahead of Newbury Park's Jenny Mallen (20:40).

Simi Valley's Nicole Rietveld finished third (20:50). Newbury Park's Nikki Baker was fourth (20:59), Leana Goetze took fifth (21:03) and Courtney Chasen placed seventh (21:21).

The Pioneers, who trailed 23-34 on the projected score at the 2-mile mark, rallied behind the performances of Meagan McNally (eighth, 21:28), Kimberly Rowland (ninth, 21:37) and Amanda Bongiovanni (10th, 21:39) to force the tie.

Amanda Miller, Simi Valley's sixth runner, finished ahead of Newbury Park's Nos. 5 and 6 runners to secure the victory.

Simi Valley also defeated Thousand Oaks 18-44 and Newbury Park prevailed 17-44 over the Lancers.

In other Marmonte League girls' results: Westlake defeated Calabasas 25-36; Royal got past Agoura 22-35 and Moorpark 15-47, and Agoura handed Moorpark a 17-45 setback.