Albany High Wins Big At State Cross Country Meet

CLOVIS, CA — Albany High’s boys cross country team went to the state finals last week for the first time in program history, and the Cougars made quite an impression.

Sean Morello placed third overall individually to lead Albany to the Division IV state championship Saturday at Woodward Park in Clovis (Fresno County).

Albany’s girls team made some history too.

Sophia Nordenholz became the program's first individual state champion (boys or girls). The senior standout topped a field of over 900 runners to capture the girls Division IV title. Nordenholz clocked a 16:46.0 on the 3.1-mile course.

Morello ran the 3.1-course in 15:09.9 and was among three Albany runners who placed in the top 50.

Lucas Cohen (15:46.3) placed 13th and Jack Elfenbaum (16:28.3) placed 50th.

Jack Elfenbaum, Kristiyan Klichev Ben Elfenbaum, Sam Givner and Jared Nakahara excelled too, longtime coach Craig Stern said.

Nordenholz held off North Coast Section rival Olivia Williams (Acalanes High of Lafyette), who ran the course in 16:56.2.

Stern believes hard work, a supportive environment, and his athletes buying into the idea that they could achieve goals they previously thought were out their reach, made all the difference.

“Success of both boys team and Sophia can be attributed to their belief that they could do it (win state) and willingness to put in the miles over the summer,” Stern said.

Morello will enter the 2022 season as an instant state title favorite. The two runners who finished ahead of him both graduated.

The boys team is likely to be considered a favorite too. The Cougars graduate just one senior from its top five.