Central Valley’s shorthanded boys cross country team accomplished its goal at the Western Athletic Conference’s second cluster meet on Sept. 30 at O’Neill Forebay.

The Hawks managed to finish ahead of four of five league opponents despite competing without Eliseo Madrigal, who has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a calf injury.

“The injury happened,” Central Valley head coach Horacio Garcia said. “We had to make adjustments.”

The second-place Hawks totaled 59 points while besting Livingston (88), Lathrop (114), Johansen (116) and Pacheco (138).

First-place Beyer (23) topped Central Valley again.

Beyer edged a full-strength Central Valley team by just nine points (28-37) during the WAC’s first cluster meet.

“Our objective slightly changed,” Garcia said. “Instead of thinking about first place, other runners had to step up to help us maintain second place in the league standings.”

Enoc Reyes led the Hawks with a seventh-place showing. He completed the 3-mile course in 17 minutes, 34 seconds.

Central Valley teammates Carlos Castaneda (17:37), Armando Gutierrez (17:56), Adrian Sanchez (18:25), Edgar Reyes (18:28) and Diego Gutierrez (18:51) placed eighth, 14th, 20th, 21st and 24th, respectively.

Reyes, Castaneda, Sanchez, Armando Gutierrez, Enoc Reyes and Edgar Reyes all set personal records at O’Neill Forebay.

Diego Gutierrez turned in a season-best time.

Sanchez and Reyes both competed at the frosh-soph level during the WAC’s first cluster meet.

“They helped us maintain second place in league,” Garcia said. “They ran a good race.”

Madrigal will be cleared to compete on Oct. 16.

“Eliseo is a big contributor to our success,” Garcia said. “The plan is to save him for the postseason. Hopefully, he’ll be ready.”

Central Valley’s girls (120) finished fifth in the team standings at the WAC’s second cluster meet.

Beyer (18), Livingston (67), Lathrop (78) and Pacheco (120) took first, second, third and fourth, respectively.

“Everyone worked hard,” Garcia said. “It’s hard to compete as a team. We’re focusing on the individual side, helping everyone set personal records. They’ll perform a lot better during the last WAC meet.”

Karen Magallon led the Hawks with a ninth-place showing. She completed the 3-mile race in 21 minutes, 11 seconds.

“She’s peaking at the right time,” Garcia said.

Magallon set a personal record. “She’s getting closer to breaking 21 minutes,” Garcia said.

Central Valley teammates Simran Bain (26:37), Camila Urena (27:26), McKenzy Crane (27:27) and Courtney Crane (40:14) placed 29th, 30th, 31st and 39th, respectively.

Bain, McKenzy Crane and Courtney Crane all turned in season-best times.

“I’m pleased with how they’ve been competing,” Garcia said. “They continue to improve.”

Ceres High’s boys and girls teams didn’t post scores at the conference meet due to a lack of numbers.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Bulldogs’ first-year head coach Marco Villamarin said. “They did exactly what they were supposed to do. They’re progressing.”

Villamarin was hired to rebuild Ceres High’s cross country program.

“They’ve been good at trusting the process,” he said. “In the beginning, it was very challenging. Gaining their trust was the biggest obstacle.”

Ceres High’s boys team suited up just two runners for the WAC’s second cluster meet.

Jayden Jaimes led the Bulldogs with an 11th-place showing. He completed the 3-mile course in 17 minutes, 47 seconds.

James was named Ceres High School’s Athlete of the Week.

“He’s a harder worker,” coach Villamarin said.

Bulldog teammate Elija Villamarin (19:43) placed 34th.

Clarissa Rivera, Isabella Sabala and Fernanda Robles represented Ceres High’s girls team at the WAC’s second cluster meet.

Rivera led the Bulldogs with a 12th-place showing.She completed the 3-mile race in 21 minutes, 20 seconds.

“She was under 10 seconds away from her PR,” coach Villamarin said. “That’s after we put in a hard week at practice.”

Sabala (27:45) and Robles (36:25) placed 32nd and 38th, respectively.

The course at O’Neill Forebay is grueling.

“It’s very challenging,” Garcia said. “There’s one big hill. It keeps going and going.”

“It has a long hill you have to conquer twice on the backstretch,” coach Villamarin added.