HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY

Snyder receives coaching honor

Westlake High cross country coach Joe Snyder was named as one of the 2012 CIF-Southern Section Fall Coaches of the Year by the California Coaches Association.

Snyder and the other four fall boys coaches will be named as finalists for the association's State Coaches of the Year awards, announced in June. Five girls coaches were also named.

Snyder, who has been cross country coach at Westlake for 17 seasons, led the Warriors to the boys Southern Section and State Division 2 championships in November. It was the school's first title in three visits to the state meet.

Snyder was Ventura County Coach of the Year this season, as well as in 2008 and 2011.

Westlake has advanced to CIF-SS competition 11 times under Snyder, who also coaches the girls cross country team and both track and field teams.