The cross country season starts early in the San Diego section of the CIF. Friday a handful of boys got their feet wet at the Wolf Pack Invitational, hosted by West Hills High School in Santee.

After being boxed-in at the start, Coronado’s Ben Enowitz pulled away from all but one of the horde to place second in the sophomore race, followed by Islanders Michael Davies in 13th and Jose Tijerina in 25th. Because of misdirection on the course, everyone ran 200 to 300 yards longer than the planned 1.6 miles. Enowitz’s time of 12:15 was only 14 seconds behind the winner’s. In the senior Boys race, Jack Harms placed 21st with a time of 12:46 for 2.1 miles.

The Girls team sat this race out to get in more training under Assistant Coach Jack Nash, but they’ll be ready for action in a couple of weeks. Returning from last year’s league championship team are: Katy Gomrick, Karolin Ivarsson, Marissa Nagler, Sarah Player and Anneke Nelson. New to the team are: Allison Cabana, who ran track last spring; Sammie Runyon, Sheila Braun, Kirsten Krock, Alicia Christianson, Sarah Parker, and Brigid Thomas. They look like a good squad that should contend for the league title.

In addition to the Boys squad covered last week, we’ve added Cotter Stacy, Jonny Poe, Jake McMahon, Ross Palmer, and Gronzalo Arozarena. There is still time to come out for both the Boys and Girls high school teams, as the first meet will be held October 4.

In middle school action Saturday, eighth grader Sallie Privett won the Girls 13-17 age group at the 41st Balboa Cross Country 4-mile Run, hosted by the San Diego Track Club. Her time of 26:25 over the challenging, hilly course was 47 seconds faster than the division’s runner-up, who was none other than the defending CIF Division III high school girls cross country champion.