Returning CIF state qualifier Hunter Clark of Dos Pueblos opened his cross country season with a second-place finish in the senior class race at the Seaside Invitational in Ventura on Friday.
Clark ran 14:55 on the flat 3-mile course to lead the Chargers on a warm, windy at San Buenaventura State Beach. Junior Josh McGregor clocked 15:44 and finished 16th overall among juniors.
Senior Christina Rice took first place in her race in 17:20 and Natalie Hawkins ran a personal best of 19:17 to finish 27th in the girls seniors race. Ruby Gans broke 20 minutes for the first time (19:59) and finished 38th.
“Christina took over a mile and a half in and gapped the field quickly,” DP coach Josh Christensen said of Rice. This was a great opener for her. We’re thrilled with her fitness at this point in time.”
On Hawkins, Christensen said: “Natalie put in a great summer of work, and today was just the beginning of seeing this pay off. The coach said Gans is “ready to have a breakout year.”
Clark moved into the lead of the boys senior race a little over a mile into it before settling back into the pack after battling a stiff headwind.
“This was a good opening race for a season that looks to be a long one,” said Christensen.
On McGregor, “He went out strong with the lead pack, but a tough week of training left him feeling sluggish at the end of his race. He’ll bounce back for our first league meet on Wednesday,” said Christensen.
DP’s top finishers:
GIRLS
Christina Rice: 17:20
Natalie Hawkins: 19:17
Ruby Gans: 19:59
Joanna Zukin: 20:25
Emmi Wyttenbach: 20:19
Molly Gans: 20:45
Riley Wahlberg: 21:13
BOYS
Hunter Clark: 14:55
Josh McGregor: 15:44
Jack Randmaa: 16:30
Loren Young: 16:46
Joseph Pearlman: 16:38
Ben Stefanski: 16:43
Scott Buie: 16:53
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.