Chargers, Royals run ahead at league championships

Dos Pueblos’ boys and girls teams each finished second in Thursday’s Channel League cross-country championships at El Camino Park in Ventura.

Individually, Evan Bradford (15:48) and Danielle Gemberling (18:35) of San Marcos each had personal bests and took second place in their respective heats and the Royal girls took third in the team competition.

All will move on into CIF races.

Ana Cowgill led Santa Barbara’s girls with an 18th-place finish in 19:57, while Martin Hutchinson was the top male Don with a 17:18 that was good enough for 25th place.

“This is the first time in a great while that both teams have made it this far,” said DP coach Leslie Wiggins-Roth, whose teams took a surprising second at the first league meet and never looked back.

Kelly Kosmo did her best to stay with Gemberling — the recently crowned county champion — and came in third place just nine seconds behind the Royals’ speedster.

“She just went after Danielle! She had a great race and earned herself all-league honors,” said Wiggins-Roth.

DP’s Chris Braden was third on boys side with his best performance all season, breaking the 16-minute barrier with a time of 15:52. Also, stepping up for his first varsity race in a league meet was Ryan Drew, who took 18th place with a time of 16:59.

(Photo courtesy of Lori Haden)