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Home Spotlight

By
the Palisadian-Post
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235 Vance Street
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
6 Beds  |  8 Baths  |  9,117 SF  |  14,954 SF Lot

Tucked in one of the Westside’s most coveted enclaves, this designer-done, newly constructed estate is located on an expansive flat lot and sets the bar for Pacific Palisades homes. The gated and private residence blends organic California style with Traditional architecture, achieving an unparalleled look and feel utilizing high-end fixtures, finishes, and amenities. Guests are welcomed into the main level by a stately two-story entry bathed in natural light. The chef’s kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and a center island, is complemented by a walk-in pantry and a butler’s pantry accessible through a stunning archway. The adjacent family room is designed for both large gatherings and intimate evenings, features a wet bar, fireplace, and pocket sliding glass doors that open to the spectacular backyard. An impressive formal dining room, living room with fireplace, powder room, office, guest suite, mudroom, and laundry room round out the first floor. The lower level offers a wellness center with a gym and sauna, temperature-controlled wine cellar, state-of-the-art theater with stadium seating, a living area with a full wet bar, and a private guest suite—all under soaring ceilings. Upstairs, find four sumptuous suites including the huge primary suite along with a den and secondary laundry. Surrounded by tall privacy hedges, the sprawling backyard features a luxurious pool/spa, massive grassy lawn, loggia with built-in heaters and a fireplace, BBQ area with bar, and a firepit lounge. Other amenities include a large two-car garage with two EV charging ports, Control4 Smart House system, white oak floors throughout, a robust security system, gated access, and more. Set on one of the Westside’s few remaining Private Roads just a block from the beach, within the Canyon Elementary school district, and a couple minutes from the Palisades Village, this offering is not to be missed.

Sale Price: $17,000,000
Listing Agent: Dan Urbach + Sam Green  |  Compass  |  DRE 01147391/02100618
Contact: email: Dan@DanUrbach.com  |  phone: 310.367.9865
Website: DanUrbach.com

The Disadvantages of Not Having Your Own Buyer’s Agent

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Michael Edlen

By MICHAEL EDLEN | Special to the Palisadian-Post

The recent game-changing class action lawsuits have resulted in new real estate forms and procedures, which have introduced new complexities, particularly in defining relationships between agents and prospective buyers.

While many processes remain the same, understanding these changes is crucial, especially for buyers considering navigating the market without dedicated representation or by working solely with the listing agent.

Buyers Risk Exposures

1. Misaligned Interests

The primary fact to consider for buyers who rely on the listing agent is not understanding the agent’s fiduciary duty. The listing agent, by their legal fiduciary obligation, must prioritize the seller’s best interests, not the buyer’s. This may influence their negotiation efforts, leading to a less favorable outcome for the buyer, and may not insure that the buyer has top quality representation or advocate for the buyer during renegotiations based on inspection findings.

2. Increased Responsibility

Without an agent, the buyer must handle every aspect of the transaction themselves. This includes:

– Conducting a thorough property evaluation

– Deciding which forms to include in the offer

– Preparing and presenting the offer package to the listing agent

– Reviewing counteroffer terms and navigating potential bidding wars

– Managing all aspects of the contract, from reviewing disclosures and public reports to scheduling and attending inspections

– Handling loan and appraisal processes, as well as renegotiating with the seller based on inspection outcomes

All of these tasks require a significant amount of time, expertise and attention to detail.

3. Lack of Protection

Since the listing agent’s fiduciary duty is to the seller, they are not required to disclose potential drawbacks or issues that might affect the buyer. Without a buyer’s agent, the buyer might miss important details that could have been crucial in making an informed decision. Also, an agent could save costs for the buyer by recommending some actions the buyer would not have considered.

4. Missed Opportunities for Buyers

Buyers risk losing their ideal home if they cannot resolve issues during the transaction, which can lead to frustration and disappointment on both sides.

Risks to Sellers

1. Potential Complications

If a seller enters escrow with a non-represented buyer, they must hope the buyer has legal counsel to ensure that all necessary forms and procedures are followed correctly. The seller’s agent will still need to review all buyer-related paperwork due to their fiduciary responsibility to the seller, often resulting in additional work and potential added costs.

2. Escrow Challenges

Should issues arise during escrow—such as discoveries during the property inspection process—a non-represented buyer would need to negotiate directly with the listing agent. Without another agent to mediate, resolving these issues can be more difficult, potentially jeopardizing the transaction.

3. Dual Agency Conflicts

If the buyer chooses to be represented by the listing agent, that agent must balance representing both parties. This dual agency scenario can lead to conflicts of interest, making it harder for both parties to proceed smoothly through the transaction.

Risks to Both Buyer and Seller

The likelihood of a failed escrow increases when either party is not properly represented. Even if the buyer hires an attorney to save on agent fees, attorneys may not be as effective in handling the emotional and personal issues that often arise during the escrow process.

1. Increased Likelihood of Escrow Failure

About 25% of escrows fail to close for various reasons, even when each party has their own agent. The chances of friction, misunderstandings and disagreements increase when the same agent represents both sides, or when there is no buyer’s agent involved.

2. Financial Loss for Sellers

If an escrow falls apart, the seller may face delays and additional costs in relisting the property, potentially resulting in a lower final sale price.

Conclusion

While new procedures introduced by recent legislation and court decisions have made agency relationships more transparent, the fundamental processes of real estate transactions remain largely unchanged. Buyers now have greater awareness of their options, but it is clear that having a dedicated agent is in their best interest.

Professional fees are nearly always a part of real estate transactions, and attempting to save on these costs by going it alone or relying on the listing agent can easily result in greater expenses or missed opportunities.

Michael Edlen has been a trusted advisor to thousands of people for 35 years. He and his team maintain a 95% escrow closing rate. Contact him for a complimentary consultation at 310-600-7422 or michael@edlenteam.com.

Monthly Update: Lower Palisades Prices

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

By MICHAEL EDLEN | Special to the Palisadian-Post

As of September 1, there were 71 single-family Palisades residences listed in the Multiple Listing Service, which is the same as the start of September 2023. So far this year, 148 Palisades homes have sold, which is 8% lower than this time last year. There are now 21 homes in escrow in the Palisades, a 17% increase over last year.

The average price per square foot ($1,585) is down by 7% over this time last year, and the median sale price ($3,862,500) is down by 14% now.

The lowest-priced available home is a three-bedroom, two-bath on Sunset Boulevard asking $1,849,000. The highest-priced property is a seven-bedroom, 11-bath on Casale Road, asking $49.95 million.

The lowest sale price so far this year was a three-bedroom, three-bath on Chalet Terrace, which sold for $1,395,000. The highest sale so far this year was a six-bedroom, 12-bathroom home on Chautauqua, which sold for $32.3 million.

There are now 18 condominiums/townhouses on the market, a 29% increase from this time last year. They range from one-bedroom, one-bath on Sunset offered at $750,000 to a three-bedroom, three-bath on Palisades Drive for $2,949,000. Only one condo is currently in escrow.

There have been 46 condo sales so far this year, up 9% from this time last year. The lowest was a one-bedroom, one-bath on Sunset, which sold for $500,000, and the highest was a two-bedroom, three-bath on Sunset, which sold for $2.5 million. The median condo sales price is $1,349,000, which has decreased by 11% from this time last year.

There are currently eight pieces of raw land available, ranging from $699,000 for a 3,703-square-foot lot on Castellammare to $14,995,000 for six acres off of Casale Road in the Riviera. One lot has sold this year.

There are now 75 available leases in the Palisades, down 26% over last year. They range from one-bedroom, one-bath on Sunset asking $2,800 per month to a six-bedroom, 10-bath home on Anoka asking $84,500 per month.

There have been 205 leases so far this year, a 12% increase from last year. The highest lease so far this year was a four-bedroom, seven-bath on Toulon for $65,000 per month, and the lowest was $2,300 per month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset. The median leased price is now at $11,990 per month.

Michael Edlen, an agent with Coldwell Banker, has been keeping statistics on Pacific Palisades housing prices for the last 38 years.

Garden Tips: The Results of the Palisades Pumpkin Crop

By
the Palisadian-Post
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Almar Avenue

By BRUCE SCHWARTZ | Contributing Writer

The results of the 2024 Palisades pumpkin crop are in—and while I would like to be able to brag about the crop like any proud farmer, this year, conditions dictated the results. It was not hot enough.

I have been planting giant pumpkins for the last few years here in the Palisades. I have had some good years and some bad years.

For the last three years I have been planting them in front of a house on Almar Avenue. This year, I also grew them on Theatre Palisades’ property below the mural on Temescal Canyon Road.

The beginning of the season near Pierson Playhouse

If you recall, we had a persistent marine layer pattern this year that lasted to the first week of August. As I write this column at the start of September, we are experiencing our first real heatwave of the year. Before this week we had one 80-degree day all season in the Palisades.

Too much marine layer and no sunshine promotes powdery mildew. That was also a factor that kept the pumpkins from sizing up.

I will be at it next year, as farming is in my DNA. If any reader is interested in growing pumpkins next year, let me know and I will see if the conditions are right.

One of the things that is amazing is watching people watch the pumpkins grow. I was an agricultural consultant for 20 years in the Central Valley. I have looked over 1,000s of acres of different crops in my career, such as cotton, carrots, onions, melons, watermelons, lettuce, grapes, almonds and others.

Final crop outside Pierson Playhouse
Photos courtesy of Bruce Schwartz

I like to grow giant pumpkins here because residents love it. It is a great example of the power of plants and a testament of the beauty of nature itself, and how much our life depends on strong agriculture and the plants that grow the food that feeds us all.

This time of year, the results of the largest pumpkin grown in the United States are starting to be reported. Last year the largest pumpkin weighed 2,749 pounds and was grown by Travis Gienger, a horticultural and landscape teacher from Minnesota.

This year, the only results in are of a 2,035-pound pumpkin grown in Alaska by Dale Marshall. Alaska has almost 20 hours of sunlight per day in the summer, so that is a huge advantage.

The results for the lower 48 states are not in yet. By the time I write next month’s column, I will have the numbers with photos.

Here in the Palisades, the pumpkins that we grew this year will be on display at the YMCA Pumpkin Patch, which takes place at Simon Meadow in October. It serves as one of two major fundraisers Palisades-Malibu YMCA hosts each year, along with the Tree Lot.

What inspires me to grow these giant pumpkins is the look on the faces of both children and adults when the pumpkins are in the back of my pickup, as well as the children and adults sitting in the back of the pickup with the giant pumpkins, getting their photo taken at the Pumpkin Patch. It is the spirit of the fall season, and I am so glad to be a part of that function.

Meanwhile, let’s look forward to another beautiful fall season here in the Palisades.

Bruce Schwartz is a 24-year resident of the Palisades Highlands. He was an agricultural consultant for 20 years, specializing in soil nutrition for crops grown in the Central Valley. He was named Pacific Palisades’ Citizen of the Year in 2017 and a Golden Sparkplug award winner in 2013, and is a member of several community organizations. To reach Schwartz, call 310-779-1773 or email bruceschwartz@rodeore.com.

Marianne Johnson

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

Marianne Johnson, aged 97, passed away on August 25 at her home in Pacific Palisades. Marianne was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of passing.

Born on June 19, 1927, in Fresno, California. Preceded in death by her husband: The Honorable Thomas T. Johnson, Jr.; and brother: William Crumpacker.

She is survived by her brother: Jim Crumpacker; sons: William (Kristyn) Johnson, Blake Johnson; granddaughter: April Johnson; and grand-dog: Lurch Johnson.

Marianne was an iconic woman who paved her own way. Her brother Jim describes her as thoughtful yet decisive, and “someone who was destined to achieve a meaningful, successful life.”

Even as a child, Marianne was a voracious reader who showed signs of independent thought, intellectual excellence and curiosity for knowledge. She was among the top students in advanced classes at the esteemed Lowell High School in San Francisco. She ultimately graduated early, in 1944 at age 16 from Shasta Union High School in her hometown of Redding, California.

At 17, as a freshman at Chico State College, Marianne became an editor at the daily Chico Enterprise-Record newspaper. Upon transferring to Fresno State College’s journalism department, she took management positions at the twice-weekly collegiate newspaper.

Graduating in 1949, Marianne went to work for KMJ, Fresno radio station and was soon promoted to news director, becoming the first woman in the Western U.S. to fill such a position.

Marianne’s next stop became KFRC in San Francisco where she both managed the news department and became a contributing producer. KFRC remains on the air and still broadcasts in the Bay Area.

It was in San Francisco, at the Carlyle Hotel, where she met Tom Johnson, the love of her life. Marianne and Tom were married in 1953 and resided in the Berkeley for a short period of time before relocating to Tom’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, where her first son, Blake Johnson, was born. The family eventually settled in Pacific Palisades.

The couple enjoyed many life achievements, including two sons, a wide circle of friends, extensive global travel and Tom’s rising legal career. Tom was eventually elected to serve as presiding judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, County of Los Angeles. With her typical creativity and efficiency, Marianne managed the ceremonial and attendant duties involved with Tom’s career, and the family’s social and philanthropic responsibilities.

The couple were active members of the Riviera Tennis Club and Bel-Air Bay Club. Marianne was the “jock” of the family, playing competitive tennis and later paddle tennis, with her myriad of friends multiple days weekly.

When she wasn’t on the tennis court, Marianne could be found playing bridge with her close companions, which continued up until her passing. She would complete the New York Times crossword puzzle daily, finding the Los Angeles Times crossword to be “too easy” for her.

Her greatest joy was spending time socializing with her friends and family, including annual travel plans with her closest cohorts. Marianne also found time for charitable contributions, including performing weekly tours of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, and organizing and participating in events at the medical center.

Marianne’s great legacy is her brilliant example of intellectual curiosity and her deep love of family and friends. Please visit and share your memories in our guest book at everloved.com/memorial/marianne-johnson.

Maria Teresa Zanutta

By
the Palisadian-Post
-

1928 – 2024

Maria Teresa (Nanny to her friends and family) passed away peacefully on July 19 at the age of 95. She lived a long and full life, and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Nanny grew up in Torino, Italy, the second oldest of eight children. When her mother passed away during childbirth she helped raise her siblings along with her older sister, not an easy task for a teenager during WWII.

The war changed her life in many ways, but she always remained positive and looked for ways to make life better for others by teaching adult education and later becoming a social worker, helping unwed mothers.

Nanny loved music—opera in particular—playing tennis, skiing, hiking, reading and playing cards with her friends. Her family home was the gathering place for friends. Everyone was welcome.

Nanny met her husband, Ezio, who was studying to be a doctor, via mutual friends. When Ezio was offered a position at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica in 1963 they moved to Pacific Palisades and thus began her life in California.

When she arrived in the U.S., she did not speak English. She learned from watching soap operas, reading books with a dictionary and getting her son, who was 5, to help with translations, as he learned English in school. She also learned Spanish while helping Ezio as his office manager, as many clients were Spanish speaking.

She and Ezio were a team. They built a lasting community of friends from the varied groups in their lives, the doctors and nurses, the Italian community, the Corpus Christi community, and their neighbors. They enjoyed hosting dinner parties, and were known for their annual Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas party.

Nanny leaves behind a lasting legacy of volunteering in the Palisades, her home of 54 years. She volunteered at John’s Hospital gift shop and was an engaged member of the Corpus Christi community, actively participating in the new member welcoming committee, First Friday Adoration and the Legion of Mary. She also participated in the Meals on Wheels program for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed giving back to the community and welcoming newcomers.

At 88 she moved to Palo Alto to be near her children.

She is preceded in death by her husband Ezio, and survived by her daughter, Louise, and her son, Roberto, who live in Northern California, her two sisters Maria Domenica and Margherita in Italy, and her six grandchildren.

She kept in close touch with her brothers and sisters in Italy and their children who she saw at least once a year until she could no longer travel. She was the glue that kept the family in touch with each other and will be deeply missed by all.

The family wishes to thank Gordon Manor in Redwood City for the caring and loving environment they provided Nanny these past two years.

A memorial service will be held at Corpus Christi Parish on September 21 at 2 p.m.

Charter Champs

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Palisades’ Rowan Flynn, Nico Townsley andf Kenneth Sanchez tackle a Granada Hills runner behind the line of scrimmage during the second half of last Friday night’s Charter Bowl.
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

Dolphins Top Granada Hills 42-28 to Reclaim Trophy

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

When Dylen Smith greeted opposing coach Bucky Brooks at midfield moments after Friday night’s game he got more than just a handshake. He also got the bronze Charter Bowl trophy that goes to the winner of the annual  grudge game between the City Section’s first two charter schools. The prize is back in Dolphins country thanks to a convincing 42-28 victory over Granada Hills and the first thing Smith did was hold it high for his players to see—the first time he has gotten to do so, but what he hopes will not be the last.

“Dymally was the the warm-up, Roosevelt was the setup and this was the appetizer, the main dish, the dessert… everything,” said Smith, who was dealt a painful 26-10 defeat in his first Charter Bowl experience last fall and wanted desperately to      erase the memory. The Venice game last year was for the league title so that was important and you always remember your very first win, but this one’s definitely going to be top three when it’s all said and done.”

The game was supposed to have been played at Granada Hills, but with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in the San Fernando Valley the decision was made a day before  to move it to Stadium by the Sea.

Head coach Dylen Smith holds up the Charter Bowl trophy, which is back in the Dolphins’ possession thanks to their 42-28 victory over Granada Hills in the schools’ 17th annual rivalry game.

“I didn’t care where we played, I wanted the trophy back,” Smith said. “I’d have played it on Venus!”

Palisades improved to 12-5 in a series that debuted in 2006 and the Dolphins notched their 10th victory in the last 11 Charter Bowl contests.

Two of Smith’s assistants were also euphoric and made sure to pose with the trophy: linebackers coach Kelly Loftus, who piloted the Dolphins to their first Charter Bowl win as head coach in 2008; and offensive line coach Syr Riley, who never lost the game as a player and now adds a “charter” triumph as a coach at his alma mater. “It’s way harder being a coach,” Riley said. “You’re stuck on the sideline and have no control over what happens on the field.”

Fortunately for Riley, quarterback Jack Thomas was in complete control of Palisades’ up-tempo offense from the outset, connecting with wideout King Demethris for a 67-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage and adding three more scoring throws before his night was done. The junior transfer from Loyola had his most efficient outing as a Dolphin, completing 14 of 23 passes for 309 yards rushing seven times for 61 more yards.

Junior quarterback Jack Thomas runs for a first down in last Friday’s Charter Bowl at Stadium by the Sea.

After Nasir Enilolobo’s seven-yard pulled the Highlanders within two points late in the first quarter, the home team answered with a nine-play, 70-yard drive capped by Deveron Kearney’s one-yard run. On the eight play of its next drive Palisades made it 22-6 on Thomas’ 11-yard toss to Max Hejazi.

Back-to-back two-yard touchdown runs by quarterback Jonathan Hernandez cut Granada Hills’ deficit to two, but then receiver LeHenry Solomon turned a routine sideline catch into an electrifying 56-yard touchdown by using nifty moves to make two defenders miss and outrunning the safety to the end zone.

Solomon came up huge again in the third quarter after Thomas got sacked, lost his helmet and had to sit out a play. Solomon lined up in  the wildcat formation, took the snap and bolted to his right as if he were going to sweep to that side. Seeing there was no seam, he suddenly reversed field and outraced three defenders to the goal line and dove over the pylon for a 27-yard touchdown that restored Palisades’ two score lead. Demethris caught  his second touchdown pass—this one a 47-yard strike from Thomas—to close out the scoring with 1:43 left.

Receiver King Demethris (right) celebrates his second touchdown catch with tight end Augie Evans.

“If I’m being honest I think we have the best receiving corp in the City,” Solomon said. “I’m blessed to have great teammates. Credit to them for coming back. They never let up. I like dogfights. That’s what proves yourself as a player.”

Palisades will look for more revenge when it hosts Brentwood in the “Sunset Showdown” on Friday. The Eagles won 43-24 last year.

 

Growing Pains

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Juniors Margot Madeira (left) and Tulah Block repel Cerritos hitter Sophia Toney in pool play at the Chastworth Invitational.
Photo: Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades High girls volleyball team got its first real test last weekend at the 13th annual Chatsworth Invitational and after two days of matches against strong competition, including several of the top City Section teams, Dolphins coach Carlos Gray saw his squad face adversity  that could help the Dolphins come playoff time.

After sweeping Royal, Hueneme and Sylmar to win its pool on Friday, Palisades opened the second round of pool play Saturday morning with two more sweeps of Eagle Rock and Cerritos. The Dolphins then took on Foothill of Nevada for first place in the pool and lost 115-9 in the decisive third set to settle for second. Still, the Dolphins qualified for the Gold Division, and in the opening round of brackey play they defeated  Chatsworth to move into the quarterfinal round against Thousand Oaks. The Lancers prevailed 25-19, 25-18 and went on to beat Taft in the semifinals and Notre Dame Academy in the finals. Taft had gone undefeated through pool play.

On Monday, Palisades was back in action in its own gym, taking on rival Venice in its Western League opener. Despite getting a little bit closer each set the Dolphins fell 25-15, 25-19, 25-21. The teams will meet again October 2 at Venice.   

Palisades beat Venice three times last season (twice in league and once in tournament play) on its way to the City Open Division semifinals, where it lost in four sets to El Camino Real. The Dolphins captured the last of their record 30 section titles in 2020. The next most titles for any City school is 10 by Elizabeth.

Fifty-Year Aquatic Reunion Sept. 21 at Pali High Pool

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Former Palisades High swimming and water polo coach Dave Anderson with wife Mary Lou at the opening of the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center in 2010. He piloted the Dolphins’ program for 22 years.

There will  be a lot of reminiscing Saturday, September 21 at  Palisades High’s  Maggie  Gilbert Aquatic Center during a 50-year reunion celebrating the school’s 1974 swimming and water polo teams.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature coaches Dave Anderson and John Apgar. Anderson will be inducted into the CIF LA City Section Hall of Fame in April. In his 22-year coaching career at Palisades he led the Dolphins to six consecutive boys water polo titles (1973-78), eight varsity boys swimming titles (1974, then seven straight from 1986-92) and 11 varsity girls swim titles in 12 years from 1982-93. He also taught biology until 1994 and in his final year at the school served as the magnet counselor.

He returned for the opening of Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center in October 2010.

The 1974 title, though shared with Chatsworth, was Palisades’ first in swimming and a sign of the dynasty to come. Apgar was not only Anderson’s assistant, he was also the Palisades-Malibu YMCA coach. The ‘74 squad included future All-Americans Les Wulk, Dennis and Eric Moore, Mark Hutson, Mike Newman, Franz Szymanski and Fred Kitchener.

The 1974 girls swim squad took second at City Finals and won the Western League title.

Current coach and program alum Maggie Nance, who has continued Palisades’ winning legacy during her tenure, swam under Anderson for three years and helped the team win two City crowns before graduating in 1990. Since taking the helm in 2004 she has piloted the girls to 15 team titles and the boys to nine.

Everyone in the Pacific Palisades aquatic commuity is welcome to attend, including fans, parents, YMCA swim members and those who competed before or after the 1973-74 teams. Attendees are encouraged to share their memories and photos at the casual gathering. Light snacks and refreshments will be served and there will be a minimal entry fee to pay for the pool deck rental, insurance and food. Any leftover funds will be donated to the Pali High swim and water polo programs.

RSVP to Dennis Moore via email: rd1.moore@gmail.com or call 858-243-8779. The aquatics reunion precedes the 50-year Class of 1974 party at 6 p.m. that evening at Killer Shrimp in Marina del Rey.    

Running for a Repeat

By
Steve Galluzzo
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Pictured, from left: Sophomore Zoey Morris, Junior Louisa Mammen, Junior Blake Sigworth and Senior Owen Lewicky
Photos by Steve Galluzzo

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The Palisades High boys and girls cross country teams are ready to make their runs at another City Section championship and depth could be the key to the Dolphins defending the titles they swept last fall at Pierce College.

Coach Robert Hockley, who was selected as the CIF-LA representative for the NFHS California State Coach of the Year in 2023-24, said the honor belongs to every runner in the program as well as the parents who support it along with Athletic Director Rocky Montz.

“It takes a village,” said Hockley, who has helped countless athletes achieve their fitness goals through his private training business (www.tricorecoaching.com). “We enjoyed great success last season with both boys and girls winning City and the boys placing fourth in Division I at the state meet, posting the fastest-ever team time by a City school.”

Despite the graduation of last spring’s Palisadian-Post Cup winner Max Fields, who was the backbone of the Dolphins’ cross country and track programs for four years (winning four individual section titles and leading his team to three straight cross country championships) as well as Axel Mammen (fifth at the City cross country finals last year), the boys return a solid group highlighted by senior Owen Lewicky and juniors Blake Sigworth, Zach Cohen and Andrew Razo. They will attempt to make it four titles in a row and break their own finals time standard of 1:17:21.11, which bettered a long-standing record set by Belmont in the late 1990s.

Sigworth was third behind Joseph Vargas of Cleveland High and Fields at last year’s cross country finals and was runner-up to Fields in the 3200 with a time of 9:37.24 last May at the City track finals, is anticipating a breakout year.

“I learned so much from Max… he was a great mentor and having someone to push me helped me to get better faster,” said Sigworth, who lives in Marquez Knolls and attended Marquez Elementary and Paul Revere Middle School, where he first took up competitive running. “It’s not merely about training, it’s sleep, it’s diet, it’s recovery… there’s so much that goes into it. Even though it’s somewhat of a rebuilding year I’m confident we can defend the title. One of my goals is to be individual City champion and also Max ran 14:35 at Woodbridge so I’d like to be around that.”           

In the Dolphins’ first meet of the season, the three-mile Great Cow Run on Aug.31 at John Glenn High in Norwalk, Sigworth was first in a field of 209 runners with a time of 15:09.4 and he paced Palisades to second in the team standings with 72 points—six more than first-place West Torrance.   

Sigworth has already clocked faster times than Fields in the 800 and 1600 meters and Lewicky has done the same in the 800. Cohen was fourth in 15:30.3 at the Great Cow Run and Lewicky was sixth in 15:32.7.

“It was pretty good for my first race, I was happy with that coming off a broken foot in March,” said Lewicky, who edged Fields to win the City 3200 as a sophomore in 2023 when his older teammate was weakened with the flu. “Next year we have the potential to be better than we’ve ever been.”

Cohen, who was seventh at City finals last fall in 15:31.4 (one spot ahead of Lewicky), thinks the boys will be even better than last year: “Our front of the pack will be way faster. I never ran cross country until I got here and I don’t run track, although I want to try it this year. I have a good aerobic engine. I just started my training but I’m hoping to be in the 14:30s at Woodbridge. Andrew [Razo] is going to be someone to watch!”

Contributing to the boys’ success  will be triplets Sebastian, Justin and

Ethan Funk, fellow freshman Theo Mayeda, sophomore Mako Holt and juniors Jackson Taylor and Lajus Collins and senior Basel Thierry.   

In coaching for more than 25 years across five different sports, Hockley has worked with every level and age of athlete from high school to a two-time Olympian, to an 80-year old Ironman World Championship qualifier. His experience has raised Palisades’ program to the top of the City ladder and he believes running is a vehicle for teaching many of life’s lessons.

“At Pali, we’re hoping to develop great young adults who just happen to become faster runners along the way,” he said. “As far as that first meet, nothing really surprised me. Both teams ran up to expectations.”

Hockley hopes for an even stronger girls team this year than the one that ended Granada Hills’ streak of five straight titles last fall. Led by sophomores Zoey Morris, Gabriella Gilyard and Vitalija Schafer, juniors Louisa “Lulu” Mammen and Daila Harinck, senior Cece Tierney and newcomers Maya Hively, Eleanor Mammen, Kendal Shaver, Amelia Halpin and others, the Dolphins should have enough to offset the graduation of Kyra Morris (Zoey’s older sister, who was fourth at City cross country finals and in the 3200 last spring) and Virginia O’Neill.

Zoey Morris, the individual cross country champion as a ninth-grader in 17:41 flat last November as well as the City 3200 champion on the track with a time of 11:19.93 in the eight-lap race, picked up where she left off with a second-place 18:14.1 effort at the Great Cow Run while  leading the Dolphins to the varsity girls team title with 63 points.     

“Mammoth was fun,” Morris said of the team’s annual summer training trip. “I enjoy running with Ella, Lulu and all of my teammates. We have some really good new girls. I had a solid first race and I’d like to run sub-18 by City finals.”   

Mammen will miss her brother Axel, who graduated in the spring, but was 10th at the Great Cow in 18:44.5, crossing the finish line side by side with Hively, a freshman who came from Revere and is poised to be an immediate contributor.

Hively’s main sport is soccer. She plays club for the LA Breakers and will play for Palisades in the winter but until then the Rustic Canyon resident is anxious to build stamina and camaraderie in cross country.

In her case, Hockley’s extensive background in the world of semipro soccer should prove quite helpful, since Hively wants to play soccer at a collegiate level, perhaps at one of her “dream” schools, UCLA or Stanford. Hockley knows how to juggle the two sports and has privately helped train numerous soccer players for colleges like Michigan, Occidental and Loyola Marymount.

“I’ve only been running for three years, since sixth grade, but this is my 11th year playing soccer,” said Hively, whose three-year younger siblings (twins Bennett and Parker) also play soccer and just started at Revere. “Running is helpful to improve endurance and it’s good to balance out my schedule. I don’t like track meets at all but cross country is fun because of the courses. Everyone on the team is super nice! It’s a positive environment. Lulu and I got the same time in the first race.”

Shaver clocked 20:37.8 at Great Cow and placed 42nd, three spots behind Schafer. Now a sophomore, she moved to the Via Bluffs from Carlsbad and she too used to play soccer. Her father John is the new Pastor at Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades and he first got Kendal and her sister into running.          

“I’ve been training and working  hard and it’s easier to do that with friends,” Shaver said. “Pali has a much stronger team than the one I came from, especially at state. Cross country keeps me in shape and the girls were all nice and welcoming. I’m enjoying it more than I thought. I like living close to the water, shopping in the Village and running down to the beach.”

Palisades is scheduled to run next in the 43rd Annual Woodbridge Classic on Sept. 21 at the Great Park in Irvine. The boys are entered in the night’s final race just before 10 p.m., the Doug Speck Sweepstakes, reserved for the elite teams. The girls will compete one hour earlier in the varsity rated race.

Last year, the boys finished 20th out of 34 teams in the Sweepstakes race and were the only City team to qualify. Fields was 49th out of 267 runners, Lewicky and Cohen were 147th and 148th, respectively, while Sigworth was 186th in 15:34.9.

The girls finished 11th in the Blue Division varsity B race a year ago at Woodbridge, with Louisa Mammen (18:32.5) and Kyra Morris (18:37.2) placing 17th and 18th, respectively, and Zoey Morris (18:52.5) coming in 27th out of 227 runners.

Granada Hills’ Samantha Pacheco won that race, but Zoey Morris rebounded to upset the Highlanders sophomore at the City finals in Woodland Hills.

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