VanPeteghen Won Central Park Sweepstakes

Rebecca VanPeteghen secured a victory while Marina High School topped the boys' varsity field.

Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Running

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Huntington Beach runner Rebecca VanPeteghen claimed the girls' sweepstakes race title at the Central Park Invitational. Marina High School also saw success, winning the Section 1 boys' varsity race during Saturday's competition.

Why it matters

The event brought together top regional talent for a competitive 3-mile challenge despite the presence of a local heat advisory. Participants navigated these conditions to secure early-season rankings for their respective schools.

Rebecca VanPeteghen finished the 3-mile course in 17 minutes 16.4 seconds. Marina High School secured the team win with a score of 152, ahead of Newhall Hart with 207.

The players

Rebecca VanPeteghen

She is a runner from Huntington Beach who secured the girls' sweepstakes title.

Marina High School

This educational institution is the home of the team that placed first in the boys' varsity race.

Emma Alba

She is the runner who completed the girls' sweepstakes race to earn a second-place finish.

Newhall Hart

This school competed in the Section 1 boys' varsity race and took the second-place position.

The details

VanPeteghen secured her win by breaking away from the lead pack during the final stages of the 3-mile race. Marina High School's team performance was determined by the combined efforts of their five scoring runners.

The Central Park Invitational took place on the morning of Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This performance sets a baseline for regional runners as they move toward major championship meets. The team victory for Marina High School marks a significant shift in the competitive balance of the Section 1 boys' division.

Marina High School's team score of 152 establishes them as a top contender for upcoming postseason rankings. The result also highlights how Fountain Valley's boys' sweepstakes team finished in 12th place, impacting their current standing within the regional field.

The takeaway

Maintaining performance in adverse weather remains a critical skill for student-athletes competing in early-season cross country meets. Consistency across the entire scoring squad proved to be the deciding factor for team victories in this competition.