CLEARLAKE OAKS >> The top cross country runners from the North Central League I and II square off today in the Coastal Mountain Conference Championships at Cache Creek Winery in Clearlake Oaks.
Unlike regular-season dual meets where the girls and junior varsity boys run together followed by the varsity boys, each of those three divisions has its own separate race during the CMC Championships. Action begins with the JV boys at 1 p.m. followed by the girls at 1:45 p.m. and the varsity boys at 2:30 p.m.
Lower Lake is the host school for this year’s meet.
Middletown’s varsity boys and girls are in the running for team titles among NCL I schools.
Sophomore Andre Williams III of Kelseyville is gunning for a second straight win in the NCL I varsity boys race after leading the Knights to the team victory at last year’s conference meet held in Santa Rosa. He was eighth overall in the varsity boys field, finishing behind seven NCL II runners.
Kelseyville’s coach, Jeff Weller, thinks Williams is going to top the entire field this year, not just the NCL I runners.
“I would be surprised if he didn’t win,” Williams said. “The way he’s been competing in some of these invitationals (races outside of the high school ranks), he’s beaten all of those guys. He steps up every time. Seeing what he does, it’s just incredible.”
Fort Bragg’s Amelia Wirt won the NCL I girls race a year ago and was fourth overall among girls, finishing behind three NCL II runners. She is back to defend her NCL I title.
The heavy favorite is two-time state champion Rylee Bowen of Sonoma Academy.
