Dustin Espinoza had a successful outing at the Sac-Joaquin Section varsity boys Division III cross country race on Nov. 10 in Folsom. The Ceres High senior finished ahead of eight runners he lost to at the sub-section championships, including Weston Ranch's Jose Cuevas.
Cuevas edged out Espinoza for all-league honors and bragged out it.
"It meant something to me to beat him," Dustin said. "He rubbed it in my face in front of my teammates. I don't believe in belittling someone's abilities."
Espinoza placed 25th in a field of 57 at the section competition. He completed the 3.1-mile Willow Hill course in 18:12.
"I was pretty drained after the race," he said. "I gave it my all. I wanted to stop a few times but I kept going."
Espinoza competed in just three races for the Bulldogs this year. The first-year runner joined the cross country team late after transferring from Central Valley High School.
Dustin finished eighth at the league meet and 33rd at the sub-section championships.
"I didn't make state. But I only trained for 2-3 weeks," he said.
Espinoza will wrestle this winter and run track in the spring.
He will join the Air Force after graduation. Dustin will complete his basic training in San Antonio, Texas.
"It's been a dream of mine since my freshman year," said Espinoza, who turned down several scholarship offers, including three for track and one for wrestling. "I'm excited because I have a plan."
Cuevas edged out Espinoza for all-league honors and bragged out it.
"It meant something to me to beat him," Dustin said. "He rubbed it in my face in front of my teammates. I don't believe in belittling someone's abilities."
Espinoza placed 25th in a field of 57 at the section competition. He completed the 3.1-mile Willow Hill course in 18:12.
"I was pretty drained after the race," he said. "I gave it my all. I wanted to stop a few times but I kept going."
Espinoza competed in just three races for the Bulldogs this year. The first-year runner joined the cross country team late after transferring from Central Valley High School.
Dustin finished eighth at the league meet and 33rd at the sub-section championships.
"I didn't make state. But I only trained for 2-3 weeks," he said.
Espinoza will wrestle this winter and run track in the spring.
He will join the Air Force after graduation. Dustin will complete his basic training in San Antonio, Texas.
"It's been a dream of mine since my freshman year," said Espinoza, who turned down several scholarship offers, including three for track and one for wrestling. "I'm excited because I have a plan."
