There were some bright spots for Escalon cross country runners as they hosted the annual Escalon Invitational on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Staged at Woodward Reservoir outside of Oakdale, the conditions were picture perfect for a cross country run, with a slight breeze, cool temperatures and some sunshine.
"There were 15 teams from Divisions 3, 4, and 5 present," said Escalon coach Rick Heflin. "The freshman girls took first (in their frosh division) and Jordyn Walden won the race with a time of 15:12."
Sierra Lionudakis was fourth in 16:37, followed by Natalie Calderon, sixth, 17:50; Allyson Liv, seventh, 23:29 and Joceline Diaz, eighth, 23:56.
For the sophomore girls, Amanda Chapman placed 25th in 19:37.
The varsity girls placed fourth overall with top finisher Khrista Delucchi placing ninth with a new personal record of 21:22.
Pearl Rivers was 10th, 21:23; with a 20th place finish for Janelle Giuntoli in a new personal best time of 22:38. Taking 37th was Sam Cuddy, 24:28; 43rd, Kelly Irons, 24:52; and 47th, Anna Baglione, 25:44.
Leading the freshman boys was Brandon Puthoff, 26th, 15:15 and Ian Eachus, 38th, 17:36.
In the sophomore boys race, top Escalon finisher was Jake Carroll, 16th, 13:47; followed by Robin Geary, 26th, 15:22; West Morgan, 29th, 17:46.
"The varsity boys placed second overall," Heflin said, paced by the third place finish of Matt Barnum, coming in at 16:39.
Taking 12th was Clancy Casteel, 18:04, followed by Landon Gonzalez, 17th, 18:19; Philip Plott, 21st, 18:23; Josh Vandagriff, 24th, 18:34 (new personal record); Alec Carpenter, 28th, 18:50 (new personal record); and Josh Proch, 44th, 19:39.
Heflin said the most notable thing about the Invitational for the varsity boys was that, following Barnum, the rest of the top six made it into the 18's with their times, a strong showing.
"The last race was an open JV race and top honors for us went to Tanner Roark, 11th in 21:07," said Heflin.
Foreign exchange student Michael Hempelmann was 17th, 21:39; Marvin Gutierrez, 19th, 21:54.
"Our last medalist was Stuart Eachus," Heflin said, coming in with a time of 22:21, for 20th place. "Our top JV girl was Ashley Brunetti, 32:19."
Teams taking top honors were Bret Harte for varsity boys, with 54 points to second place Escalon's 83. Bret Harte also won the girls varsity competition, with 29 points, followed by Oakdale, Patterson and Escalon.
"It was a warm day," Heflin added. "We are still missing a few due to colds but the kids ran well."
The Cougars will look to get healthy as they prepare for the final TVL meet of the season scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Legion Park in Modesto.
Staged at Woodward Reservoir outside of Oakdale, the conditions were picture perfect for a cross country run, with a slight breeze, cool temperatures and some sunshine.
"There were 15 teams from Divisions 3, 4, and 5 present," said Escalon coach Rick Heflin. "The freshman girls took first (in their frosh division) and Jordyn Walden won the race with a time of 15:12."
Sierra Lionudakis was fourth in 16:37, followed by Natalie Calderon, sixth, 17:50; Allyson Liv, seventh, 23:29 and Joceline Diaz, eighth, 23:56.
For the sophomore girls, Amanda Chapman placed 25th in 19:37.
The varsity girls placed fourth overall with top finisher Khrista Delucchi placing ninth with a new personal record of 21:22.
Pearl Rivers was 10th, 21:23; with a 20th place finish for Janelle Giuntoli in a new personal best time of 22:38. Taking 37th was Sam Cuddy, 24:28; 43rd, Kelly Irons, 24:52; and 47th, Anna Baglione, 25:44.
Leading the freshman boys was Brandon Puthoff, 26th, 15:15 and Ian Eachus, 38th, 17:36.
In the sophomore boys race, top Escalon finisher was Jake Carroll, 16th, 13:47; followed by Robin Geary, 26th, 15:22; West Morgan, 29th, 17:46.
"The varsity boys placed second overall," Heflin said, paced by the third place finish of Matt Barnum, coming in at 16:39.
Taking 12th was Clancy Casteel, 18:04, followed by Landon Gonzalez, 17th, 18:19; Philip Plott, 21st, 18:23; Josh Vandagriff, 24th, 18:34 (new personal record); Alec Carpenter, 28th, 18:50 (new personal record); and Josh Proch, 44th, 19:39.
Heflin said the most notable thing about the Invitational for the varsity boys was that, following Barnum, the rest of the top six made it into the 18's with their times, a strong showing.
"The last race was an open JV race and top honors for us went to Tanner Roark, 11th in 21:07," said Heflin.
Foreign exchange student Michael Hempelmann was 17th, 21:39; Marvin Gutierrez, 19th, 21:54.
"Our last medalist was Stuart Eachus," Heflin said, coming in with a time of 22:21, for 20th place. "Our top JV girl was Ashley Brunetti, 32:19."
Teams taking top honors were Bret Harte for varsity boys, with 54 points to second place Escalon's 83. Bret Harte also won the girls varsity competition, with 29 points, followed by Oakdale, Patterson and Escalon.
"It was a warm day," Heflin added. "We are still missing a few due to colds but the kids ran well."
The Cougars will look to get healthy as they prepare for the final TVL meet of the season scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Legion Park in Modesto.
