Advertisement

Varsity boys beat 16 teams in harriers’ Mustang Invitational

Share

Sixteen boys varsity cross country teams ran in the smaller-school Silver Division race of the Mustang Invitational meet at Rohr Park in Chula Vista, and Ramona High School had the top team score.

Cross country team scores are determined by adding the positions of a team’s first five finishers. A school’s sixth and seventh finishers are not scored but can add points to opposing teams’ scores.

Ramona only had six boys in the varsity race but all six finished in the top 30 and the Bulldogs posted a team score of 65 points at the Sept. 11 invitational.

“I’m happy with that,” said Sherri Edwards, head coach for Ramona High’s boys and girls cross country teams.

Ramona sophomore Ally Luna won the girls junior varsity race while the Bulldogs as a team finished third in that race, as did the Bulldog junior varsity boys. Ramona’s varsity girls placed second.

In addition to medals given to all runners for the top three teams, 23 of Ramona’s 27 runners received individual medals for finishes among the top 30 of their race.

“I was hoping the boys and the girls varsity could be in the top two,” Edwards said. “JV boys and girls I was hoping they would be in the top three.”

All four of those teams met Edwards’ expectations despite an inconsistent running schedule during the week.

The Friday night meet was preceded by Wednesday and Thursday practices beginning at 5:30 a.m. due to the hot weather. The teams practiced after school Sept. 8, and on Sept. 7, Labor Day and a school holiday, they had an 8 a.m. practice.

This Saturday the Bulldogs have a morning meet, the Mt. Carmel Invitational at Balboa Park in San Diego.

At the Mustang Invitational Gabe Plendcio led the boys varsity race after the first mile before finishing fourth with a time of 17:23 on the 3.1-mile course.

“He went out a little bit quick,” Edwards said. “He had a hard time on the second and third mile.”

Joey Jauregui posted a time of 17:44 for sixth place and Colin McNulty finished ninth at 18:00. Jackson Sutter had the 18th-place time of 18:32,

Brandan Ruland completed the course in 18:46 for 28th place, and Ben Stein captured 29th place after his 18:57 performance.

The junior varsity girls ran a 1.65 mile course. Luna won the race with a time of 10:58.

“She did very well,” Edwards said.

Five Bulldog junior varsity girls ran in a pack and ended the race with the 14th through 18th finishes.

Tuesday Christopher crossed the finish line in 12:21, Carmen Ocampo took 12:29, Lexie Wafles raced for 12:36, Sarah Guthrie posted a time of 12:40, and Belgian exchange student Lara Schyns finished her first cross country race in 12:43.

A time of 13:11 gave Emily Sojourner 30th place.

The varsity girls also had seven medalists. A time of 14:33 on the 2.2-mile course gave Gwendalyn Gibson third place, Marissa Talle was ninth at 15:13, Perla Cruz had a time of 15:42 for 15th place, Brittany Davidson earned 21st place for her 15:58 time, Madison Huckey posted a time of 16:07 for 23rd place, Chloe Knowd finished 25th at 16:13, and Robyn Turner had a time of 16:14 for 26th place.

“I was happy with the way the girls competed,” Edwards said. “They were pretty solid.”

The Silver Division girls varsity race also had 16 teams. Ramona and Point Loma, the only team to finish in front of the Bulldogs, are in Division III for CIF meet purposes.

The boys junior varsity race was also 2.2 miles. Mitchell Sutter was the second-place finisher with a time of 12:43.

“That was exciting for him to do so well as a freshman,” Edwards said.

Colton Meskell finished ninth at 13:58 and Colin Duffy had the 14th-place time of 14:17.

Two other Ramona runners rounded out the team score: Billy Miller was 41st with a time of 15:16 and Sean Duffy took 15:37 and finished 51st.

Advertisement

At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. If you are able to, please support the Ramona Sentinel today.