For the third time this season, Ceres High’s varsity girls cross country program placed second against Western Athletic Conference competition.

“I’m really proud of my team,” said Jackie Rodriguez, top runner for the Bulldogs. 

Ceres High finished eight points behind Los Banos during the WAC’s third cluster meet on Oct. 16 at East La Loma Park in Modesto.

The Bulldogs totaled 35 points versus the Tigers (27).

Lathrop (87), Mountain House (122), Pacheco (127) and Grace Davis (143) took third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

Rodriguez paced the Bulldogs by finishing fourth overall with a time of 22 minutes, 5 seconds on the 3-mile course.

“The most challenging part was the hill,” she said. “It was steep. The most enjoyable part was going under the overpass because you could feel the coolness from the water that was on the side.”

Rodriguez finished fifth and seventh, respectively, during the WAC’s first two cluster meets.

 “I was more confident today,” she said.

Ceres High teammates Karina Baez (22:19), Esmeralda Garcia (23:06), Diana Del Real Serrano (23:07) and Wendi Lizola (23:09) took fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.

“Our bond is close,” Rodriguez said. “When we run, we motivate each other. That keeps us in the right mindset.”