Strong showing for Crescenta Valley female runners in sweepstakes

Often overshadowed by Saugus, the Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta girls' cross country team continued its progress Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, taking second in the girls' sweepstakes race with 140 points.

Mountain View, the second-ranked team in the state in Div. II behind Saugus, won with 134 points. Mountain View's team time was 94:18, with C.V. -- ranked No. 5 in the state in Div. I -- clocking 94:38.

West Ranch, ranked No. 10 in Southern Section Div. I, finished seventh with 184 points and Highland of Palmdale placed 11th (238).

After running as fast as third through the 2-mile mark, West Ranch junior Bailey Miller finished sixth (18:18), with Highland sophomore Caylie Choate took 11th (18:31).

Michelle Callister was the top finisher for C.V., taking 12th in 18:33. Carlotta Pham provided support by taking 17th (18:43) and Megan Doeding cracked the top 25, placing 24th in 18:51.

West Ranch sophomore Jennifer Owen was 21st (18:47) and freshman teammate Ashley Welker took 27th (18:55).