For the first time, the Citrus League hosts its own League Championships instead of combining the races with the Coastal Conference at Kit Carson Park. Chollas Lake is a tough course, but it’s geographically central to the ten Citrus League schools that are spread out all over the four corners of San Diego County.

It was nice conditions after a warm week. The temperatures were still a little above normal, but not unbearable. Combined with the hills and the loneliness the course offers, as most of the race is run away from the spectators, the race brought slow times.

The afternoon started with the girls’ race. Sophomore sensation Elizabeth Apgar from Calvary Christian Academy of San Diego led from wire to wire unchallenged. Apgar, who placed fourth at the State Championships (Div V), is looking to improve on her performance this year.

On the boys’ side, things were a little more exciting. It was a long awaited showdown between Guajome Park Academy’s Jesus Romo and Calvary Christian – Vista’s Ryan Vilas. Romo is the defending Citrus League Champion as well as defending CIF-SDS Division IV Champion, but Vilas has turned some heads this season with his performances.

Vilas led by 10 meters with 1000m to go and opened up a gap of about 30m with 400m to go. Romo had better closing speed and caught Vilas just a few steps from the tape to take the victory.