It was deja vu all over again for Scotts Valley High senior Jeremy Kain, who sprinted his way to victory for a record-setting third straight league title.
The Falcons’ standout runner won the Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League Cross Country Championship in 15 minutes, 14 seconds on Nov. 4 at Pinto Lake County Park’s 3-mile course in Watsonville.
“It was a good race today, a lot of fun,” he said. “I’m just excited for what’s to come in the next couple of weeks.”
Kain, who committed to compete for Duke University next year, was keen to break the course record. But he admitted that not having a pack to run together with limited his ability to do so.
“Honestly, it was still a good race. I felt good,” he said. “What’s more important is CCS and State. A little bummed that I didn’t get the course record, but it is what it is.”
The win also put Kain on a list of other three-time SCCAL champions including 2002 Aptos High alum Brett Gotcher (Stanford) and 2004 San Lorenzo Valley alum Alex Dunn (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).
“It’s pretty surreal being in this position this year,” Kain said. “It’s pretty sentimental and I’m happy that I was able to win again.”
Kain jumped out to the lead from the get-go and built a 45 second gap on the final half mile of the course. Thursday afternoon’s win was nothing compared to last year’s epic league championship finish.
Still, he was just happy for his teammates including senior Ryder Brabo (15:30), who took second to help the Falcons finish with a winning score of 29 to capture their fourth straight team title.
Senior Austin George (16:20; sixth), and juniors Aiden Boothby (16:23; seventh) and Jonah Verinsky (16:51; 13th) also scored for the Scotts Valley.
“It’s pretty surreal and I think today is even more exciting for where Scotts Valley’s at than ever before,” Kain said. “We’ll be good for some years to come. I’m just really excited with the culture and environment created on the team because I think everyone wants success.”
Aptos junior Trent Nosky was third in 15:35, setting a personal record on the course by finishing 14 seconds faster.
“I felt pretty good with my training and workouts were going really good,” he said. “Overall I was feeling very good and definitely I felt happy with how I did today.”
Santa Cruz junior Jim Ratliff (15:53) and freshman teammate Eli Fitchen-Young (15:53) rounded out the top five and helped the Cardinals (50) place second. Aptos (86) was third in the six-team race.
Junior Chase Jacques-Maynes (16:38; ninth), sophomore Evan Niles (16:57; 14th), senior Avery Heebner (19:11; 29th) and sophomore Timothy Scott (19:32; 31st) rounded out scoring for the Mariners.
The top three teams qualified for the Central Coast Section Championships, which will be held Nov. 13 at Crystal Springs Cross Country Course in Belmont.
SLV senior Marco Evans (16:39; 10th), Soquel junior Brody Staley (16:45; 11th) and senior teammate Jack Spencer (16:47; 12th) qualified for CCS as individuals.
Kain said he’s really looking forward to another shot after last year’s CCS Championships were canceled. He did mention that he’s not looking forward to the course itself but the last time he raced at Crystal Springs he picked up a couple of pointers.
“I’m excited to get my feet in the water again and just see what happens at CCS,” Kain said. “Hopefully we can continue with a team win there, as well.”
TOP FINISHERS
SCCAL Boys’ Cross Country Championships
Individual
1. Jeremy Kain, Scotts Valley, Sr., 15:14;
2. Ryder Brabo, Scotts Valley, Sr., 15:30;
3. Trent Nosky, Aptos, Jr., 15:35;
4. Jim Ratliff, Santa Cruz, Jr., 15:53;
5. Eli Fitchen-Young, Santa Cruz, Fr., 15:53.
Team
1. Scotts Valley, 29;
2. Santa Cruz, 50;
3. Aptos, 86;
4. Soquel, 95;
5. San Lorenzo Valley, 118;
6. Harbor, 142.
Up Next
CCS Cross Country Championships
Where: Crystal Springs Cross Country Course, Belmont
When: Nov. 13 at 10am.
