Andres Rojo and Chase Bogart had success-filled first seasons with Central Valley High School's cross country program.

Rojo and Bogart both participated in the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships on Nov. 14 in Folsom.

Andres brought home a fifth-place medal from the Division-III sophomore boys meet.

"I anticipated him doing well," Hawks head coach Veronica Moreno said. "Prepping for the meet, we discussed times. He set a personal goal for 12 minutes or less. I'm just proud of him for making it this far."

The top eight individuals at the 52-person event were awarded medals.

Rojo completed the 2.1-mile course in 12 minutes.

"I'm not surprised he reached this level so fast," Moreno said. "He's a dedicated athlete. He never missed a practice. He watched his diet. He kept getting faster and faster."

Andres placed second overall while competing in the varsity division at the Western Athletic Conference Championships. Rojo was awarded an all-WAC patch for his outstanding effort. He crossed the finish line of the 3-mile race in 17:19.

"It kind of happened by accident as far as him doing cross country," Moreno said. "He came out for the team because he had a good time doing track and it would prep him for basketball. It's an indescribable excitement for him. He does way more than run. He performs well in the classroom and in this sport."

Bogart took 22nd with a time of 13:39 in the Division-III frosh boys division.

"It was one of his first big races," Moreno said. "He was having trouble breathing. He had been sick the week before. He still did his workouts."

Chase compiled a perfect 6-0 record during the WAC frosh-soph dual season.

He also finished first at the conference's preseason and year-end championships.

"I knew he was going to have success," Moreno said. "He has a natural running ability. He works had."

Ceres High freshman Noah Holloway took 17th (13:05) at the section meet.