They Run Saddleback to Front of Crowd

SANTA ANA —  Eddie Salinas and Rob Price have run together countless times during their five-year friendship. But today will be different.

Salinas, a junior, and Price, a senior, will be attempting to uphold Saddleback High School’s No. 1 cross-country ranking in Orange County in this afternoon’s dual meet with sixth-ranked Corona del Mar at Irvine’s Mason Park.

Saddleback hasn’t beaten Corona del Mar in either runner’s career.

Salinas and Price have known each other since Salinas was in sixth grade, Price in seventh. And at first, the association consisted of Salinas trying to catch up with Price’s records.

“When Rob was in eighth grade (at MacArthur Junior High), he had a 5:03 record in the mile,” Salinas said. “When I got there, I was one second behind. Every year it’s been like that for track. He sets a time record and I’m one or two seconds behind.”

This year, Salinas has been finishing just ahead of Price, who missed a lot of training time after suffering a stress fracture in his right foot last spring.

“Eddie’s way ahead of where I was last year,” Price said.

The two grew up about a mile apart, and grew up running together.

When they got to high school, they were comfortable competing.

“The way races go now, I usually go out the first mile, then Eddie catches up and passes me,” Price said.

“But I wouldn’t be surprised if Rob beat me in league finals,” Salinas said. “Saturday (at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational) I thought he was going to kill me in the hills.” Salinas finished ninth at Mt. SAC, Price 13th.

The focus today will be on Corona del Mar, which is third in the Sea View League. Salinas and Price regard Chris Cannon and Mike Marumoto as the Corona del Mar runners to beat.