Bummed out by his performance at the CIF State Cross Country Meet, Ceres High's Alejandro Garcia couldn't pass up the opportunity to compete in the Foot Locker West Regional Championships on Dec. 5 in Walnut.

"I didn't feel like I did my best at state," he said. "This makes up for it. I redeemed myself."

Garcia took second behind San Carlos' Benjamin Heck in the Senior Boys Division. He completed Mt. San Antonio College's hilly, 3.1-mile course in 16 minutes, 44 seconds.

"I didn't let people push me around like I did at state," Alejandro said. "I redeemed myself."

Garcia passed seven runners while moving from ninth to second place after the mile mark.

Alejandro moved to the front of the pack at the two-mile part of the race and remained there until the last 800 meters.

Heck took control on flat land.

"I'm satisfied with my placing," Garcia said. "I just got beat by five seconds."

Slowed by cold weather at state, Alejandro made sure he was ready for the Foot Locker competition. The morning race started at 8:55.

"This time, I was prepared," he said. "I wore gloves the whole race. It helped a lot."

Garcia will continue his cross-country career at Modesto Junior College next fall.