Noonan triumphs in Doug Speck boys sweepstakes race in 13:41.3 for third-fastest performance in meet history, with Ventura’s Fast Horse (13:48.1) and Cathedral’s Perez (13:50.7) also in top three, along with Templeton’s Bell (13:59.6) making it six athletes to eclipse 14-minute barrier

By Pete Marshall for DyeStat

Photos by Ken Martinez

IRVINE, Calif. – It turns out that boys cross country is alive and well in California, thank you very much, even though people had some reason to be skeptical entering the 2023 season.

First, 2022’s dominant California team, Newbury Park, was known to be a shell of its former self after graduation.

And last year at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, the boys sweepstakes race was won by a non-California individual for the first time since that race was added to the meet schedule in 2003.

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS

Dana Hills junior Evan Noonan led the way for the California boys Saturday night in the 42nd edition of the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America, finishing strong and winning the Doug Speck boys sweepstakes race by covering the 3-mile layout in 13 minutes, 41.3 seconds at Orange County Great Park.

Noonan, who won the California Division 3 state cross country title last year, produced the third-fastest performance in meet history, including the top mark at Great Park. He was immediately followed by Ventura senior Anthony Fast Horse (13:48.1), who was fourth in Division 2 last year behind three Newbury Park seniors, and Cathedral senior Emmanuel Perez (13:50.7), who won the Division 4 title last year.

Templeton senior Joshua Bell, third in Division 3 last year, took sixth Saturday. The top six finishers all finished under 14 minutes on the fast flat course on a comfortable evening, one shy of the meet record seven achieved last year, increasing the total to 23 sub-14 competitors in meet history.

Noonan, Fast Horse and Bell also all finished in the top six in the state last spring in either the 1,600 or 3,200 meters.

It was an impressive finish for Noonan, who was 20th at the one-mile mark and fifth at the 2-mile split.

“I’m super happy to come out with that win:” Noonan said. “Honestly, throughout the race, I was making sure I was maintaining my pace instead of going out too hard. Because I know I need to have that last gear to finish hard and get across the line.”

It was a great start to the season for Noonan, who was competing for the first time during what promises to be another long fall schedule that culminates with racing in December.

“It’s a huge experience and confidence boost,” Noonan said. “Since the markers and distance of the race has changed over the past two days, I kind of gave up looking at a time, and just come in here and get that top-three spot.”

Like Noonan, Fast Horse wasn’t concerned with a time on the course at Orange County Great Park, which competitors and coaches said was shortened between Friday’s and Saturday’s races.

“I really just wanted to win, and I think everyone could tell that with the grin on my face the last 600,” Fast Horse said. “Evan (Noonan) did surprise me, but I always expect it from him.”

Perez, who led at the mile and 2-mile marks, was disappointed in finishing third.

“I felt like the first mile was way too fast,” Perez said. “I should’ve just let them lead. Now, I know I need to be stronger, so I can finish stronger.”

Bell believes his outstanding time can help him.

“I feel like every college I’m talking to right now, is going to be like, ‘Dang, this guy deserves to be with us.’ I think I proved myself out there. Honestly, I’m pretty proud of myself,” Bell said.

The top non-Californian in the boys sweepstakes race was senior Jojo Jourdon of Olympus (Salt Lake CIty), who took fourth in 13:57.8. Jourdon followed the success of fellow Utah standout Tayson Echohawk from Orem High, who was second last year in 13:49.3, along with Liam Heninger of Mountain View, who took third in 13:55.2.

“Of course I’m happy with the results,” Jourdon said. “I couldn’t ask for a better day, better competition. I went as hard as I could and came away with fourth place. I can’t complain at all.” 

Fifth place went to senior Berkley Nance of Mills E. Godwin in Virginia in 13:58.7. It was the best place and time ever for a runner from Virginia at the event.

The boys rated race had Texas teammates finish 1-2. Hudson Haley of Austin Vandegrift won in 14:08.6, followed by teammate Dylan Schieffelin (14:28.3), leading the Vipers to the team title with 89 points.