HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY : Martinez, Nekota Win Division I Titles

Angel Martinez, the nation’s top returning 3,200-meter runner, emerged as a contender for the state title, winning the Division I race in the Southern Section finals Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College.

Martinez, of San Gabriel High, posted the fastest time of the meet, covering the three-mile course in 15 minutes 14.5 seconds. San Gabriel finished fourth in the team standings with 138 points to earn its first state meet berth.

Keith Grossman, Paul De La Cerda and Brett Strahan of Newhall Hart placed third, fourth and fifth as the Indians won their third consecutive section title with 58 points. Palos Verdes Peninsula (73) was second and Ventura Buena (103) third.

The top four teams, along with the first five individuals not on a qualifying team, advance to the state meet Nov. 30 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Martinez was 21st after the first mile, fourth by the second mile and passed Margarito Casillas, who finished second in 15:19.3, with 1,000 meters left.

Agoura sophomore Key Nekota won the girls’ Division I race in 17:59.3, and the Chargers placed four runners among the top 12 to win the title with 51 points.