Central Valley’s boys cross country program enjoyed its highest finish to date while competing at the Frogtown Invitational on Sept. 19 at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds.
The Hawks posted a team score of 166 en route to a fifth-place showing in the Large School Division.
Lodi (53), Pleasant Grove (72) and Sierra (112) took first, second and third, respectively.
“Seeing them run well during big meets is really exciting,” Central Valley head coach Horacio Garcia said. “It was a good surprise we were able to place that high because there were a lot of teams there. Frogtown is one of the toughest courses in the area. I thought we’d finish 10th or 11th based on last year’s times there.”
“The kids have been working really hard,” he added. “If everyone stays healthy and continues to improve, I’m hopeful we can qualify as a team for the section championships.”
Enoc Reyes paced the Hawks.
He brought home a medal after taking 17th with a time of 17 minutes, 40 seconds on the 3-mile course.
He also set a personal record.
Reyes took 40th (19:27) at the Frogtown Invitational in 2025.
“I’m really excited for him,” Garcia said. “He broke 18 minutes for the first time. He continues to improve every meet.”
Central Valley’s Eliseo Madrigal placed 21st (17:46) on his way to claiming a medal.
Hawk teammates Armando Gutierrez (18:46), Carlos Castaneda (18:47) and Adrian Sanchez (18:57) finished 47th, 49th and 54th, respectively.
“There’s been improvement throughout the team,” Garcia said.
Ceres High’s boys did not post a team score in the Small School Division due to a lack of numbers.
The Bulldogs had just two runners compete at the Frogtown Invitational.
“I love the course,” Ceres High head coach Marco Villamarin said. “It has a lot of everything - hills, flat ground, gradual slopes, asphalt, dirt and rocky road. Mentally, it either makes you or breaks you.”
Jayden Jaimes medaled.
He placed 22nd (18:24).
“He had a really great start,” Villamarin said. “He did not lose position at all. He executed.”
Bulldog teammate Elija Villamarin took 54th (20:39).
Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls programs didn’t post team scores at Frogtown because of their thin lineups.
Clarissa Rivera led the Bulldogs.
Rivera was awarded a medal after taking 10th during the Small School race.
She posted a time of 22 minutes, 43 seconds on the 3-mile course.
“It was really fun to watch her run,” coach Villamarin said. “She was strong throughout the whole race. She was really fighting for her position.”
Ceres High teammates Isabella Sabala (28:56) and Fernanda Robles (38:39) finished 56th and 65th, respectively.
Karen Magallon led the Hawks.
She medaled on the strength of her 21st-place showing (22:24) during the Large School race.
Magallon took 35th (27:18) at the 2025 Frogtown Invitational.
“She dropped five minutes from last year,” Garcia said. “She’s been running faster each week, which is really exciting. She’s been working hard at practice.”
Central Valley teammates Camila Urena (27:20) and Simran Bain (30:18) finished 74th and 101st, respectively.
