The 44th Woodbridge Classic Brings the Heat
Every September, the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in California serves as an early-season benchmark for the nation's best, and the 44th edition delivered on every front with dramatic team races, fierce individual rivalries, and breakthrough performances from rising stars.
Herriman of Utah once again proved why they remain a fixture on the national stage, rallying from a mid-race deficit to capture their fourth consecutive team title. At the two-mile mark, the Mustangs trailed Jesuit of California by more than 30 points, but they stormed the final stretch with a surge that sealed the comeback. Jackson Spencer's individual win set the tone, while Eli Jarvis stepped up as a dependable second scorer to help close the gap. Four titles in a row show that Herriman is not just a contender but a program with staying power.
The night also produced another installment of one of high school cross country's most exciting rivalries. Lily Alder and Chiara Dailey battled stride for stride, just as they did in last year's memorable 15:28 showdown. This time Alder pulled away by less than a second, proving she is no longer running in the shadow of Jane Hedengren.
As the spotlight shifted back to the team competition, JSerra Catholic showed that its strength comes from depth as much as star power. With underclassmen leading the charge, including sophomore Kaia Streadbeck and freshmen Maya Pawlowicz and Brooklyn Tennant, JSerra edged national powers Union Catholic and Buchanan for the win.
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