SBART Press Luncheon: Santa Barbara High Cross Country Returns Victorious

The Santa Barbara High boys’ Cross Country team’s journey to the CIF-SS Division 2 Championship and subsequently the Division 2 State Championship highlighted Monday’s SBART Press Luncheon at Harry’s Café.

A core group of Dons built on their accomplishments year after year and grinded their way to the top. In a sport that requires superior mental toughness and competitive stamina Santa Barbara displayed both in abundance on their championship run.

“It’s just an incredible group of young men, who believe in the process and believe in the journey,” said Santa Barbara cross country coach Olivia Perdices. “When these seniors were freshman running dual meets behind masks out at Dos Pueblos, to their sophomore year where they won a league championship but weren’t even picked to make it out of the CIF Prelims and made it to the CIF Finals by the skin of their teeth. To their junior year where it just felt like we were underrated the whole season and walked away with fifth in the southern section and eighth in the state meet.