Alejandro Garcia couldn't believe his eyes when he crossed the finish line at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters varsity boys track and field championships.
The Ceres High senior distance runner eclipsed his own school record in the 3,200 meters by nearly 11 seconds. Seeded eighth, Garcia finished seventh overall in 9:29.90 on Friday at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium.
"I was completely surprised by my time," he said. "I didn't think I was that fast."
Alejandro passed three opponents on the last lap, including Stanislaus County rival Robert Rosas of Grace Davis.
Garcia pulled away during the final 150 meters.
"Once I saw I didn't have a chance at top three, I went after (fifth-seeded) Rosas," Alejandro said. "I didn't think I was going to beat him. But I ran smart. I had a relaxed pace for most of the race. I didn't die out like the other times."
Garcia didn't qualify for state, but turned in another memorable performance.
Alejandro won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title (9:40.49) the previous week at Modesto Junior College. He improved his two-mile time by 18 seconds during the course of the season.
In the fall, Garcia qualified for the CIF State Cross Country Championships for the second year in a row.
"I'm satisfied," he said. "I reached every single goal."
Bulldog teammates Le Hong, Bryce Ford and Kaela Causey also participated at the Masters meet.
Hong, a junior, took 22nd in the 110 hurdles (16.01).
Ford, a freshman, finished 11th in the 300 hurdles (47.41) and 12th in the high jump (4-11) in the varsity girls division.
Causey, a senior, placed 20th in the shot put (32-05).
Le, Bryce and Kaela all had successful seasons.
At Divisionals, Hong posted a career-best time (15.58) en route to a second-place finish.
Bryce posted the school's second-fastest time in the 300 hurdles (47.21) the same week. Heather Jones, a 2007 Ceres High graduate, ranks first (47.10) on the all-time list.
Causey won the Valley Oak League shot put title. It was the first time she had ever competed in the event.
The Ceres High senior distance runner eclipsed his own school record in the 3,200 meters by nearly 11 seconds. Seeded eighth, Garcia finished seventh overall in 9:29.90 on Friday at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium.
"I was completely surprised by my time," he said. "I didn't think I was that fast."
Alejandro passed three opponents on the last lap, including Stanislaus County rival Robert Rosas of Grace Davis.
Garcia pulled away during the final 150 meters.
"Once I saw I didn't have a chance at top three, I went after (fifth-seeded) Rosas," Alejandro said. "I didn't think I was going to beat him. But I ran smart. I had a relaxed pace for most of the race. I didn't die out like the other times."
Garcia didn't qualify for state, but turned in another memorable performance.
Alejandro won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III title (9:40.49) the previous week at Modesto Junior College. He improved his two-mile time by 18 seconds during the course of the season.
In the fall, Garcia qualified for the CIF State Cross Country Championships for the second year in a row.
"I'm satisfied," he said. "I reached every single goal."
Bulldog teammates Le Hong, Bryce Ford and Kaela Causey also participated at the Masters meet.
Hong, a junior, took 22nd in the 110 hurdles (16.01).
Ford, a freshman, finished 11th in the 300 hurdles (47.41) and 12th in the high jump (4-11) in the varsity girls division.
Causey, a senior, placed 20th in the shot put (32-05).
Le, Bryce and Kaela all had successful seasons.
At Divisionals, Hong posted a career-best time (15.58) en route to a second-place finish.
Bryce posted the school's second-fastest time in the 300 hurdles (47.21) the same week. Heather Jones, a 2007 Ceres High graduate, ranks first (47.10) on the all-time list.
Causey won the Valley Oak League shot put title. It was the first time she had ever competed in the event.
