Solis leads Aztecs to title

The 2007 CIF Southern Section Cross Country Champs

with Coach Duarte, his father and myself.

Barstow senior wins individual championship

WALNUT — With much separation before the next runner, the CIF-Southern Section boys Division III individual title on Saturday came down to a friendly battle between Barstow teammates Anthony Solis and Isaac Chavez. “We were just pushing ourselves with each other,” Chavez said. “We were both continually saying you can do it, don’t let me beat you.” Despite suffering from a cramp for much of the final stretch of the race at the Mt. San Antonio College course, Solis held off Chavez by practically a stride with both crossing the finish line in an identical time of 15 minutes, 1 second. It tied for the fourth-fastest time of the day. “I had a cramp from the bottom of the reservoir all the way to the end,” Solis said. “He started pulling away and it was getting worse. But I just had to win. I had to, I’m the No. 1 guy. It’s all up here (gesturing to his head).” Barstow finished with another dominating performance, as its top six all finished in the top 18. The team’s 34 points were easily enough to beat Oak Park (101) for its third straight Southern Section team title and fifth in seven seasons. The six runners placed in front of the Eagles’ No. 3 man and in front of third-place Palos Verdes’ entire team. The Aztecs’ team time of 77:08 was the second fastest of the day only behind Div. I Dana Hills (77:01) and sets them in good position for a third straight state title next week. Also advancing with Barstow to the state meet are Sultana’s Brett Walters, Apple Valley’s Daniel Rosales, Victor Valley Christian’s Nick Osborne and the Granite Hills boys team. Solis’ individual title was the first of coach Jim Duarte’s five section-champion teams. “We’re blessed,” Duarte said of his top two runners. “Because no doubt, we’ve had kids who’ve worked just as hard and wanted it just as badly. And they finally have a little more talent than what’s come before. So we’re blessed and they’re blessed.” Barstow’s third man, Andrew Romano (15:34), finished seventh and was honored for finishing in the top 10 at the awards ceremony.