Hollander, Bridges prevail for second year in a row at Woodbridge, producing first sub-17 efforts on opening night in return to venue for first time since 2015; Doak clocks 14:46.6 to lead five athletes with sub-15 performances

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

IRVINE – Danielle Hollander enjoyed a memorable summer representing Team USA at the 21st Maccabiah Games in July in Israel, winning an Under-18 gold medal in the 3,000 meters, along with earning bronze in the 1,500 and contributing to a silver medal in the 4x400-meter relay.

Although the extended track season delayed the start of Hollander’s cross country training, the Beverly Hills High senior demonstrated Thursday that she is already making significant strides.

Hollander was back in the spotlight competing under the lights at the 41st Woodbridge Cross Country Classic Presented by ASICS, winning her white division varsity race by covering the 3-mile course at Great Park in 16 minutes, 54.2 seconds, becoming the first female competitor to achieve a sub-17 performance at the venue on the opening night of the two-day event.

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Hollander wasn’t the only female athlete to achieve the feat, as junior Nicole Bridges of Bakersfield Liberty overcame briefly running in the wrong direction to reset her course and prevail in a red division varsity competition in 16:59.3.

The previous fastest female performance achieved on the first night of the meet at Great Park came in 2014, when Allie Schadler of Rio Rico High in Arizona – now an All-American at Washington – clocked 17:09. The competition Thursday marked the first time the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic had been showcased at  Great Park since 2015.

Hollander ran 17:31 last year to win a gold division varsity race at SilverLakes Sports Complex, with Bridges also securing victory in her gold division varsity race in 17:53.8.

Julian Doak, a senior at Placer High, led five male athletes to sub-15 efforts, emerging victorious in a white division varsity race in 14:46.6, with Benjamin Hughes of San Marino placing second in 14:57.0.

Doak, who did not attend the event last year, had never eclipsed the 16-minute barrier in a 3-mile race, let alone achieve a sub-15 performance before Thursday.

Nicholas Weinerth of Rio Mesa prevailed against fellow senior Aaron Cohen of West Torrance by a 14:50.2 to 14:53.4 margin in a red division varsity race.

Big Bear sophomore Kael Jex triumphed in a white division varsity race, clocking 14:57.3 to hold off junior Everett Capelle of St. Margaret’s in 15:00.1.

Palos Verdes teammates Alex Naehu, a junior, and senior Jake Typrowicz also nearly eclipsed the 15-minute barrier, running 15:00.2 and 15:00.9, respectively, to take the top two spots in their red division varsity race, just ahead of Francisco Rodriguez of Franklin (15:01.8).

Palos Verdes prevailed in the team competition with a 50-110 victory over Mission Viejo.

Despite Cohen’s second-place finish, West Torrance still triumphed by an 85-133 margin over Portola. Weinerth helped Rio Mesa place 16th with 427 points.

Doak could only lead Placer to a 13th-place team performance, with Shadow Mountain High from Arizona securing the win with 84 points – led by Ryan Brass finishing fifth in 15:33 – ahead of runner-up South Pasadena with 123 points.

Jex was the only Big Bear athlete in his race, with Capelle helping St. Margaret’s finish second in the section with 88 points. Don Lugo, led by Jordan Berkley securing sixth in 15:28.1, emerged victorious with 70 points.

Despite sweeping the top three spots in a white division girls varsity race, Castilleja was still edged by St. Lucy’s Priory by a 90-93 margin, with St. Margaret’s taking third with 94 points.

Daniella Henderson, a senior, led the way for Castilleja in 17:19.8, followed by junior Perry McElhinney in 17:26.2 and Samira Kennedy in 17:30.1.

Kate Burns led St. Lucy’s by placing ninth in 18:21.5.

Amaya Aramini, a junior at Bishop Manogue in Nevada, benefited from racing against Hollander to run 17:02.5, with junior teammate Ava Luczkow taking third in 17:18.0 in their white division varsity race.

South Pasadena secured the team victory by a 52-98 margin over Temecula Valley, led by Abigail Errington placing fourth in 17:22.9 and Amelie Geoffron finishing fifth in 17:26.7.

Bridges helped Bakersfield Liberty place 10th in its red division varsity competition with 251 points, a race won by Palos Verdes by an 87-99 margin over Murrieta Valley.

Marjourie Lopez of Shadow Hills was second in 17:11.1, freshman Arielle Avina of Murrieta Valley took third in 17:31.4 and sophomore Michelle Nikmehr led Palos Verdes by placing fourth in 17:49.3.

Santa Monica capped the evening schedule with a 68-104 victory over Saugus in a red division varsity race, led by sophomore Phoebe Benun earning the win in 17:35.2.

Portola sophomore Sophie Guilfoile was second in 17:41.6, with senior Alona Haymore of Queen Creek High in Arizona taking third in 17:50.3.

Makenna Blum, a sophomore, and senior Ryan Vasquez of Saugus, ran 17:55.4 and 17:56.2, respectively for the Centurions to finish fourth and fifth.