The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Habatmu, Nast, Guisti run in the top 30

By Kevin Sparrer

Senior Rebecca Habatmu and junior Katie Nast went at it in the girls Division III race at the CIF State Cross County Finals held on Nov. 24 on the 3.1-mile course at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Prospect's Habatmu won the battle of the local runners, completing the race in 18:51 to finish 14th in the division, while Saratoga's Nast followed 25 seconds behind in 29th in 19:16.

The two ranked among the top local finishers in the Thanksgiving weekend state meet in Fresno.

Senior Matt Guisti (24th, 16:38) ran a solid race for the King's Academy boys in Division IV. In the girls race, juniors Poppy Lawman (36th, 20:00) and Priya Pappu (44th, 20:09) competed well for King's in Division IV.

Junior Jean Feng (76th, 19:22) ran strong as the only runner from Monta Vista in Division I, and like Nast, earned valuable experience as she looks ahead to next year.

Freshman Lauren Tang (93rd, 19:56) showed her stuff for Lynbrook's girls in Division II. She will have many more years as a Viking to better her already impressive feat of competing in the state meet as a freshman.

Senior Abiy Gebrekrist (34th, 16:21) ran hard for the Cupertino boys in Division III. Senior Sumika Shiokawa (34th, 19:21) also gave a strong performance at the state meet for Cupertino.

Homestead junior Nick Oliver (100th, 16:31) ran in the Division I boys race and junior Emily Evans (80th, 19:24) ran for the Mustangs in the Division I girls event. Both of the Mustangs will continue to perform for Homestead next year.