On the night of Sept. 20, 2025, seven Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) varsity boys cross country athletes took to the line in one of the largest and most competitive cross country races in the United States. The 2025 running of the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic (Woodbridge) drew over 18,000 athletes and 50,000 fans to Great Park in Irvine, Calif., to watch some of the top boys’ and girls’ athletes in the country.
Woodbridge is one of the most highly regarded meets in the country, known for its fast and competitive races. The rated race is just one level below the national-record-setting Bob Day Sweepstakes race and has often foreshadowed results later in the season, including and leading up to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Cross Country Championships.
The boys’ team made a strong impression, coming through the first mile in 13th place, with Viggo Bortolin ‘27 passing through the mile mark at 4:52, followed closely by Asher Field ‘28, Eli Billings ‘26, and Camden Taylor ‘27. Field, reflecting on the first mile, said, “I think we got out well … we were a little spread out. Some were really far ahead of me, some were really far behind me … the race came out really fast.”
The second mile proved to be the team’s breakthrough, as the boys moved up 10 places in the race. Bortolin still led the pack, coming through the second mile mark at 4:58, once again followed by Field and Taylor. As the crucial final sprint to the finish line crept closer, Field recalled, “I know I passed almost 30 people in the last mile, [the] same with Camden [Taylor] and Viggo [Bortolin].”
Bortolin sprinted under the arch to finish with a time of 14:44.0, which is a personal best by over 30 seconds and a new school record. Field followed less than 15 seconds behind, finishing with 14:59.6, making his mile time a brilliant 4:55 mile. Less than a second behind Field came Taylor, then Baker Carlisle ‘26, and Billings, closing out the top five scorers.
After an astounding race, the boys waited anxiously for the official results to be announced. After starting in 13th place, the boys’ team finished in second place. Bortolin broke the school record by over 10 seconds, a record that had been set more than two years ago. Field and Taylor ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, on the all-time list.
The boys cross country team competes again at the 44th Annual Central Park Invitational on Oct. 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach, Calif.
