The trio of local Channel League squads competed in the Clovis Invitational on Saturday in Clovis.
The San Marcos Royals, Dos Pueblos Chargers and Santa Barbara High Dons all put together strong showings to showcase the running talent in the 805.
San Marcos
The Royals’ girls squad picked up a fifth-place finish in the Division 3 5K race on Saturday.
“Fifth place was a great result for our girls team,” San Marcos head coach Marilyn Hantgin said. “They took risks that tested their fitness today. They responded with fight and it paid off.”
Elsie Tuttle led the team with her time of 19:31, and she was followed by Autumn Richardson (19:41), Samara Shalhoub (19:42), Layla Llewellyn (20:00) and Maya D’Amour (20:20).
“Elsie is such a talented athlete. She handles pressure extremely well and is able to step up in big moments,” Hantgin said. “I have to give Maya a lot of credit today for a fantastic race. We were down one of our top girls, and Maya really came through for the team today. She doesn’t run like a freshman.
“She doesn’t seem to have any fear and takes on the challenges set before her. She is a special athlete and we are lucky to have her on our team.”
As for the boys, Wyatt Degner crossed the finish line in a time of 16:20 to lead the team. Meanwhile, Audric Halberg (17:28), Everett Young (17:36), Drew Vogel (17:42) and Cesar Gutierrez (17:46) rounded out the Royals.
“Wyatt is a senior but a first-year cross country athlete. He brings calm and maturity to our team, even though he is so new at the sport,” Hantgin said. “The boys ran together most of the race, which helped them throughout the 3.1 miles.
“The closeness these boys have for each other is special. They care greatly for each other. It’s a nice feeling to have athletes like this that represent our school.”
The Royals will have two weeks off before the Mt. SAC Relays on Friday, Oct. 24.
Dos Pueblos
The Charger boys placed fourth in the varsity large schools division on Saturday, recording 166 points and finishing behind Trabuco Hills (84), Oak Ridge (89) and Valencia (150).
“Every runner either notched a personal record or a season best, showing the group’s steady climb toward peak form,” Dos Pueblos head coach David Jackson said. “We’re prioritizing health and well-being.”
Owen Abbott paced the Chargers with a 17th-place finish after recording a time of 16:01.60.
He was followed by teammates Linus Martin (16:10, 28th), Phillip Contakes (16:18, 36th), Cullen Gully (16:24, 41st), Oliver Saleh (16:25, 44th) and Ian McMurtry (16:30, 48th).
Aboot, Martin and McMurtry all clocked new 5K personal records.
Santa Barbara High
The Dons turned in a solid performance in the Division 3 race on Saturday.
“I’m proud of how they responded to the big meet atmosphere and championship setting,” Santa Barbara High head coach Olivia Perdices said. “We had season bests for 11 athletes and lifetime bests for 10. Some nice performances and a lot of valuable experience on how to handle traveling and racing at big meets.”
The girls were led by a pair of personal bests for Itzel Rayos Jimenez (19:59, 43rd) and Sydney Burgoyne (20:29, 68th). Meanwhile, Ariadna Aguilera and Meg Covington each ran personal bests as well.
On the boys side, Ethan Walp (16:58, 102nd) and Kik Van Engelen (16:59, 104th) registered personal best times to lead the way. Oscar Green, Lucca Lowry, Noah Davis and Weston Burwell also finished with their lifetime bests.
The Dons will compete in the Mt. SAC Invitational on Friday, Oct. 24.