Community Corner

Sequoia XC Teams Blast School Records

Both boys' and girls' teams qualified for the CCS (Central Coast Section) championships.

The average Cross Country team three years ago had anywhere from 8-12 runners. But since Andrew Hutchinson’s arrival as head coach, the number of students has skyrocketed to 50 this season, up from 30 last year.

But the quadrupled roster isn’t the sole impressive statistic.

At Thursday’s PAL (Peninsula Athletic League) Championships, 40 of 45 runners .

Find out what's happening in Redwood City-Woodsidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“A day where half the team runs a season-best is a good day,” Hutchinson said. “Having 90 percent of the team do it is a bit like every member of a basketball team getting a season-high in points at the same game.”

As a team, the boys bested their previous record two weeks ago by exactly a minute: 85:56 from 86:56, a record that had stood for 30 years, according to Dilley.

Find out what's happening in Redwood City-Woodsidewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The girls improved by nearly two minutes, from 105:39 to 103:50, setting another weekly record, records that had stod for 30 years as well.

Top boys runners in the 5K include Manny Avila (16:47), Kevin Hill (17:05), and Phil Barron (17:05). Top girl runners include Mariah Driver (20:17), Gaia
Bouchard-Hall (20:20), and Julia Pokorny (20:51).

Check out the pdf for additional individual times.

“[Hutchinson] has flat-out just done a tremendous job with his XC teams since he's set foot back on Sequoia's campus,” said Adrian Dilley, Physical Education Department Chair. “He deserves credit for the improvements of his kids (something Sequoia runners rarely get).”

The girls’ team finished 4th of 17 teams, and the boys finished 6th of 17 teams, the highest school ranking ever.

For the first time in school history, the teams have qualified back to back years. Out of the nearly 100 schools which run teams in the CCS for Cross Country, the boys have the 31st fastest team time out of any division, and the girls have the 23rd fastest overall.

And outside school competitions, Coach Hutchinson has inspired a continuous love for the sport outside of team events. Many students run off-season 5K road races, half marathons, and participate on the school’s track team as well.

Hutchinson is also a Sequoia Alum ('05), and former Sequoia and Lake Forest University runner.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here