Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s cross country programs had mixed results while racing at the Western Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 29 at O’Neill Forebay.

“Our goal was to run faster than our previous time there,” Hawks’ head coach Horacio Garcia said. “All of the kids improved.”

Ceres High’s varsity boys finished sixth overall with a team score of 140.

Central Valley did not post a score due to its thin lineup. 

Garcia had the core of his team, which raced as varsity runners during the regular season, compete at the frosh-soph level last week.

“Most of our varsity runners are sophomores,” he said. “That made the decision easier. I wanted them to get experience on a 2-mile course (before sub-sections).”

Frankie Klino led the Hawks. He placed 18th with a time of 17 minutes, 59 seconds on the 3.1-mile course.

Central Valley teammate Enoc Reyes finished 24th (18:47).

Sergio Torres led the Bulldogs. He placed 17th (17:50).

Bulldog teammates Andres Marcial (18:54), Anthony Savala Alvarez (19:45), Josiah Martinez-Gontiz (19:58), Elija Villamarin (20:13), Erick Henry (21:33) and Luke Knapp (28:34) finished 27th, 38th, 44th, 45th. 52nd and 71st, respectively.

Central Valley’s girls finished fifth overall with a team score of 130.

Ceres High did not post a team score due to a lack of numbers.

“We had a lot of great performances,” Garcia said. “All of the girls PR’d.”

Mia Muniz led the Hawks.

She placed 23rd with a time of 24 minutes, 2 seconds on the 3.1-mile course.

“She’s been our top finisher all year,” Garcia said. “She’s a natural athlete. She’s very competitive.”

Central Valley teammates Karen Magallon (25:01), McKenzy Crane (25:28), Simran Bains (26:17) and Courtney Crane (34:35) finished 27th, 28th, 32nd and 46th, respectively.

Clarissa Rivera led the Bulldogs. She placed 14th (22:25).

Ceres High teammates Mariana Cortez (25:35), Isabella Sabala (28:15) and Marissa Pacheco (28:29) finished 29th, 37th and 38th, respectively.

Central Valley’s frosh-soph boys squad turned in a dominant performance while claiming the WAC title with a team score of 26.

Ceres High (129) took sixth.

Beyer (61), Lathrop (63), Livingston (120) and Johansen (127) finished second, third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

“It was very exciting to beat Beyer,” Garcia stated. “They have an awesome team.”

The Hawks swept conference competition this fall.

Central Valley also finished first overall during the WAC’s First and Second cluster meets.

“Once we saw how good our kids were, we thought we’d have a chance to win league,” Garcia said. “We have really good underclassmen.”

Isaiah Ruiz led the Hawks. 

He placed second with a time of 11 minutes, 44 seconds on the 2.1-mile course.

Central Valley’s Armando Gutierrez (11:54), Carlos Castaneda (12:00), Alejandro Rodriguez (12:20), Javier Contreras (12:38), Julian Botero (12:52), Maximiliano Mendoza (13:19), Alexander Alcantar (13:46), Edgar Reyes (14:05), Maximiliano Morfin (14:16), Jaylin Howard (15:24), Yzaias Gutierrez (16:05), Luis Cerriteno (16:09), Charlie Green (17:04) and Luis Mendez (21:46) finished third, fourth, sixth, 11th, 13th, 21st, 28th, 29th, 32nd, 41st, 44th, 45th, 50th and 57th, respectively.

Jayden Jaimes led the Bulldogs. He placed fifth (12:17).

Ceres High’s Isaac Juarez (12:50), Joseph Estrada (15:43), Isaiah Villamarin (16:13), and Johan Navarro (18:15) finished 12th, 43rd, 46th and 53rd, respectively.