San Marcos cross country competed in the Goose Chase Invite for its final Channel League tune-up on Saturday in Santa Maria
The Royals will now look ahead to the first Channel League meet of the season in Ojai next Saturday.
Wyatt Degner, a first-year cross country runner, led the way for the San Marcos boys, taking fourth place individually with his time of 15:57.
“[Degner] is doing an amazing job leading our team this year,” San Marcos head coach Marilyn Hantgin said. “He is naturally talented and athletic. He has a great demeanor and I feel so lucky to have him as a part of the team this year.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the San Marcos boys were Audric Halberg (16:35), Everett Young (16:54), Brogen Hemphil (17:00) and Cesar Gutierrez (17:04). Every Royal registered a new personal best.
On the girls side, Jesse Minne was the top finisher for her team with a time of 20:23, good for 28th place.
“Jesse ran a strong race from the start to the finish,” Hantgin said. “She looked really confident today and it showed in her time.”
She was followed by Malia Hetrick (21:19), Abbi Herbst (21:33), Linden Yardley (22:07) and Teya Perkins (22:28).
“This group of girls keeps improving each week,” Hantgin said. “They pushed each other throughout the race just like they do in practice.”