WALNUT >> Saugus is looking to save its best running for the Southern Section final and state meet, but the Centurions boys cross country team made a big statement in the last heat of Saturday’s section prelims at Mt. San Antonio College.

Brian Zabilski won the heat by covering the 2.94-mile course in 15 minutes, 10 seconds, with Alex Pearson (15:22), Ryan Tait (15:30) and Jordan Serrano (15:33) finishing fifth through seventh, respectively, and Ethan Walker (15:36) taking ninth for the Centurions, who produced a 28-point effort and missed its program record for team time by 12 seconds, clocking 77:11.

“Their goal was to remain together and stay relaxed and controlled,” Saugus coach Rene Paragas said. “They’re ready to go after it next week.”

Westlake, the defending Division II state champion, won its heat with 76 points, followed by Agoura with 84.

Westlake’s Mikey Giguere was third in 15:20, with Agoura’s Michael Powell (15:37) in fifth, Westlake’s Sean O’Bryan (15:38) taking sixth and Chris Costa (15:42) placing 10th for the Warriors.

Simi Valley won its heat with 48 points and Thousand Oaks took third with 95.