Big day for Saugus athletics -- first cross country, then football

Before the Saugus High football team defeated Valencia 31-24 Friday night to secure at least a share of the Foothill League title, the Centurions girls' cross country team achieved another impressive feat by ascending to the No. 1 ranking according to Harrier Magazine, marking the first time in program history Saugus has occupied the top spot in Marc Bloom's Super 25 national poll.

Saugus was enjoying its fourth week -- second in its current stint -- as the nation's top-ranked team according to Mile Split Network, but Harrier Magazine is considered the primary source when it comes to recognizing the top runners and programs throughout the country.

Saugus and Fayetteville-Manlius of New York had traded off occupying the top spot in the Mile Split Network top 15, but two-time Nike national champion had been ahead of the Centurions since season's outset in the Harrier poll.

Saugus actually started at No. 3 in the Harrier Magazine rankings, also trailing New York's Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, which is now ranked No. 11.

But in Bloom's fourth installment of the Harrier poll, he couldn't ignore Saugus' record-setting performance Oct. 25 at the Mt. SAC Invitational, where the Centurions lowered their course record to 88 minutes, 18 seconds on the 2.95-mile layout.

The last area girls' cross country team to finish the season ranked No. 1 nationally by Harrier Magazine was Agoura in 1991. The same year, the Hart of Newhall boys' cross country team also finished as the top-ranked team in the nation.

Both Saugus cross country teams won varsity titles at Thursday's Foothill championship meet. A victory Nov. 14 by the Centurions football team over Canyon would secure the league title outright.