Kit Carson: RB girls win battle of bestKomosinski outkicksDredge, Manson; Scripps boys fastest

Rancho Bernardo's girls won the large school race at the Kit Carson Invitational, stamping them as one of the best teams in the state. Five of the six fastest local girls teams were in attendance, including Torrey Pines, which came in ranked second in the state after impressive runs at San Luis Obispo and Stanford. An up-and-coming Mt. Carmel team, strong Division III team University City and defending CIF D-I champ Valhalla also were in the field. RB won it with their depth.  Torrey's Julie Komosinski and Camille Dredge went one-two ahead of RB's Julie Manson (who took a wrong turn in the final stages of the race), but RB countered with four runners in the top ten.  Katie Boyd (5th), Kaleena Yee (9th), Allison Hall (10th) and Kerri Wheeler (19th) were key for the Broncs.  Torrey supported their top two with Kathy Read (8th) and Dorothy Trogler (21st), but fell off after that.  They were missing key runner Jackie Appel, who usually runs a strong fourth.  With Appel running her usual race, Torrey would have been close to RB. Another team with key missing runners was Mt. Carmel, who ran without Amy Vasko (their ace), and Manal Yamount (their fourth).  The Sundevils, who are probably a top ten state team in Division I, were fourth.  They were led by Ashley Dere (4th) and Janet Mulvey (6th). A full-strength University City team was third in the race, behind big efforts by Katherine Ziegler (11th), Talisha Clophus (12th), and Carly Votolato (13th). Fifth-place Valhalla was also under normal strength.  Lesley Bravin was out with an injury, and Laura Trask was below par.   The Scripps Ranch boys dominated the small schools race, nd had the fastest team of the day in any race.  Patrick Grimes won the race, and the Falcons also took third, sixth and seventh, despite missing number two man Raphael Machado.  Mt. Carmel's boys won the large schools race, ahead of a good San Pasqual pack.  Ramona's Matt McInvale beat a good field to win that race in 15:46 on the hilly, 3.1-mile course.  Many of the section's best boys teams were at Mt. SAC, or taking the day off.  Granite Hills ace Jason Finch rested an achilles problem. San Dieguito frosh Jenna Timinsky made her prime-time debut and looked good, winning the small schools girls race in 16:09, which was the fourth fastest time of the day.  Teammate Jessica Bray was second, in 16:17.

The Results: At Kit Carson Park, Saturday, October 24.  Conditions:  Cool in morning, slightly warming by mid-day.