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Panthers sweep CHS cross country
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Coach Glenn Driskell provided encouragement to his runners as they competed against Modesto High in a dual meet on a 3.1-mile course at Legion Park in southwest Modesto on Wednesday.

The Ceres High boys and girls cross country teams both lost to the Panthers, who are expected to contend for the Modesto Metro Conference titles this season.

"It was a tough opening match," Driskell said. "But you have to go against them sometime."

In the girls race, Ceres High placed just three runners in the top 10 in losing 18-43 to Modesto.

"I thought they did pretty good for the first time out," Driskell said.

"All of their times were very competitive."

Karrah Brown placed third in a field of 19 in 21 minutes, 25 seconds.

Nicole Laranjo placed seventh in 23:23.

Nichole Alvarez placed 10th in 23:37.

Heather Jones (24:19) and Vicki Morales (25:02) placed 11th and 12th, respectively.

Jones was slowed by a hip-flexor injury.

"It was bothering her but she gutted it out and ran a good time for us," Driskell said.

Melanie Casey (25:12), Katie Lutes (25:35), Sadie Tellez (26:22), Laura Morales (27:47), Cynthia Brambila (30:42) and Brandi Bonillas (30:55) placed 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th, respectively.

Modesto's Erin Lewis won the race in 19:49.

Katie Drueen (21:03), Katelyn Patterson (21:52), Elena Rivera (22:48) placed second, fourth and fifth, respectively, for the Panthers.

In the boys race, Modesto earned a 37-point victory against Ceres High. The Panthers outscored the Bulldogs 18-45.

"They kicked our butts," Driskell said.

The Bulldogs placed just two runners in the top 10.

Benny Perez placed third in a field of 25. He ran his best-time ever on the course as he completed it in 18:40.

Nick Gardner placed 10th in 19:59.

Alex Torres (20:10), Henry Shamoeil (20:18), Andrew Chipponeri (21:11), Matt Schwark (21:23), Pedro Cortes (21:40) and Ramsey Magana (21:58) placed 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th, 20th and 21st, respectively.

Marty Pyeatt led the way for Modesto as he won the race in 17:43.

Alex Freitas (18:34), Clayton Beltran (18:44) and Ignacio Mejia (18:56) placed second, fourth and fifth, respectively. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier