Division II boys race could stand out at CCS cross country championships

The boys Division II race looks like one of the more interesting and highly-competitive on the schedule at the Central Coast Section cross country championships Saturday at Toro Park in Salinas Chris Foster of Los Gatos, the 2013 Division II champion, will attempt to defend his title in a race that includes Lincoln's Jose Pina, who has had an excellent season. Pina has the fastest time at the more commonly-run 2.93-mile Crystal Springs course this season (15:09), followed closely by Foster (15:10). The CCS finals alternate each year between Crystal Springs and Toro. The first race begins at 10 a.m. The fastest time run on the 3.0-mile Toro course was turned in by Saratoga's Steven Sum (15:26), who will compete in the Division III race. Foster's best at Toro is 15:36, Pina's best is 15:43. Willow Glen's Hassen Hassen (15:48), Bellarmine College Prep's Alex Sasser (15:49) and Palo Alto's Lucas Matison (15:54) have also run under 16 minutes. Gunn's Gillian Meeks shares the best girls time at Toro with Santa Cruz's Cate Ratliff at 18:07. Menlo School's Lizzie Lacy has run 30 seconds faster than any other girl at Crystal Springs. Her best at Toro is 18:22.