The Big Bear High School cross-country team has secured their sixth consecutive De Anza League title, per Head Coach Jonathan Stiles, after running their way to victory in Friday’s league finals in Yucca Valley. In addition to the Bears varsity cross-country team taking the championship, senior Jake Murie was named league MVP and teammates Kevin Magdiel, Roy Bowling, Mark Negrete and Bobby Morales earned All League honors. The Bears JV cross-country team also secured a league championship, and first-year runner Justin Lewis, a senior, placed first in the October 30 meet and was named JV league champion. The Lady Bears varsity cross-country team tied for second place, alongside 29 Palms, and BBHS sophomore Jessica Watterson was also named to All League honors. Given the cross-country teams’ impressive showings, Coach Stiles (who took over for Mickey Hall this season) tells KBHR, “They ran a good race—their best of the season—which sets the precedent now for all the important races in the weeks ahead.” The Bears will defend their state championship title in coming weeks but, first, they will run in the CIF preliminaries (to be held at Mt. Sac on November 15) and the CIF finals.