Central Valley’s boys cross country program is headed in the right direction.

Central Valley’s girls team is a work in progress.

“I’m excited about what we have,” Hawks’ second-year head coach Horacio Garcia said.

Central Valley’s boys team has a roster size of 37 runners this season.

“Our numbers are increasing every year,” Garcia said. “I’m really happy with where we’re at.”

The Hawks’ top returners are Enoc Reyes (Sr.), Carlos Castaneda (Jr.), Diego Gutierrez (Jr.), Isaiah Ruiz (Jr.), Julian Botero (So.), Armando Gutierrez (So.) and Edgar Reyes (So.).

Central Valley’s top newcomers are Salvador Estrada (So.), Eliseo Madrigal (So.), Angel Martinez (Sr.), Aayden Vang (So.) and Adrian Sanchez (Fr.).

“We’re young compared to other teams,” Garcia said. “Based on how much work they put in during the offseason, that gives me hope. The expectation changed for this year. We’ll perform well.”

Ruiz, Martinez, Sanchez, Vang, Estrada, Armando Gutierrez and Diego Gutierrez also play soccer at the high school.

“I’m trying to get as many soccer players out there,” said Garcia, who also doubles as Central Valley’s boys soccer head coach. “I mention the benefits of running.”

Reyes placed 24th overall at the 2025 Western Athletic Conference Championships.

He posted a time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds on the 3.1-mile course at O’Neill Forebay.

Reyes placed 105th (20:04) at the Sac-Joaquin Sub-Section Division-I Meet.

Isaiah Ruiz, Armando Gutierrez, Carlos Castaneda, Julian Botero and Edgar Reyes placed second (11:44, 2.1 miles), third (11:54), fourth (12:00), 13th (12:52) and 29th (14:05), respectively, at the WAC Frosh-Soph Finals.

Diego Gutierrez (18th, 12:17) was Central Valley’s top finisher at the Sac-Joaquin Sub-Section Division I Sophomore race.

Castaneda (12:38) took 30th.

Armando Gutierrez placed 12th (12:40) in the freshman division at the Sub-Section finals. Botero (13:33) and Reyes (15:07) finished 33rd and 74th, respectively.

Castaneda has been named team captain.

“He leads by example,” Garcia said. “He never misses practice. He’s very responsible. The other kids look up to him.”

Eliseo Madrigal has the potential to develop into one of the Hawks’ top runners.

“He’s very competitive,” Garcia said. “He likes to win.”

Central Valley did not post a team score at the 2025 WAC Championships due to its thin lineup.

The Hawks did claim the conference title at the frosh-soph finals thanks in large part to standout individual performances by Isaiah Ruiz, Armando Gutierrez and Carlos Castaneda. Central Valley also finished first overall during the WAC’s First and Second cluster meets.

“We’re going to be more competitive than the previous years,” Garcia said. “If everyone stays healthy, we should be competing for the league title with (defending WAC-champion) Beyer.”

Central Valley’s girls team has a roster size of just seven runners.

“I wish we had the same amount of numbers as the boys,” Garcia said. “We lost a lot of athletes to girls tennis, flag football and volleyball. I tried to recruit soccer players.”

The Hawks return four competitors from last year’s squad, including Simran Bain (Jr.), Courtney Crane (Sr.), Karen Magallon (Jr.) and McKenzy Crane (So.).

Central Valley has three newcomers in Camila Urena (Sr.), Weldrys Diaz Custodio (Fr.) and Vanessa Morales (Fr.).

“I’m really happy with the seven runners I have out there,” Garcia said. “Everyone on the team wants to improve. That’s one of our team goals.”

Magallon (25:01), McKenzy Crane (25:28), Simran Bain (26:17) and Courtney Crane (34:35) took 27th, 28th, 32nd and 46th, respectively, at the 2025 WAC Championships.

Courtney Crane (37:04) placed 107th at the Sub-Section Finals.

Magallon (16:49), McKenzy Crane (17:14) and Simran Bain (17:34) took 51st, 60th and 61st, respectively, at the Frosh-Soph Sub-Section Meet.

Magallon has been named team captain.

She was slowed by an ankle injury a year ago.

“Karen leads by example,” Garcia said. “She’s always at practice. She’s consistent, which is key in this sport.”

Morales could develop into one of the Hawks’ top runners as a freshman.

“Her mechanics are great,” Garcia said. “It’s effortless the way she runs.”

Central Valley’s girls team finished fifth at the 2025 WAC Championships.

The Hawks will strive to do better this season.

“Best-case scenario, we place third,” Garcia said. “That’s what we’re shooting for. We placed last the last five or six years.”