Claremont High School cross country had a very good day in the CIF Southern Section Division II finals last weekend at Mt. San Antonio College.

The competition was tough, however, the girls team came in 7th place with a combined score of 157, which is good enough to qualify for the California State Championships, which will be held this weekend at Woodward Park in Fresno. The boys’ team came in 9th with a score of 231, missing the cut for the state finals by two places.

Standout Claremont runners for the day were a duo of seniors, Megan Renkin and Merin Arft, who set school records in the three-mile race. Renken finished in 19th place with a time of 18:06, her best CIF finish and a new course record for the girls’ team. Arft came in 23rd place at 18:17, which is the third fastest time in CHS history. Only five seconds behind Arft was freshman Annie Boos in 33rd place at 18:23.

The boys did not fare as well, but had some good results nonetheless. Adam Johnson was the top finisher for the Pack in 31st place with a time of 15:41, which is the 6th fastest time in CHS history. Behind Johnson was Mike Lowrie in 37th place at 15:49, followed by Jonah Ross in 45th place at 15:56.

The top three girls teams were Simi Valley, 95, Redondo Union, 112, and Arroyo Grande, 123. Top boys’ teams were Saugus, 83, Dos Pueblos, 118, and Simi Valley, 134.