Getting an opportunity to run against some competition for the first time this season, Escalon cross country runners turned in some decent times on Friday. They traveled to Lodi Lake for the Lodi Flame Invitational and saw action in a number of divisions.

For the varsity boys, they ended 13th as a team in the 3-mile event, paced by Kyle Jimenez, 46th overall in 18:17 and Eduardo Calderon, 48th in 18:21. Leading the varsity girls was Yajaira Salinas, who was 31st overall and covered the course in 22:38. Sierra Hernandez was Escalon’s second girl across the finish line, finishing in 24:28. The varsity girls were 11th as a team.

In the two-mile JV event, Samuel Thomson paced the Escalon boys with a time of 14:16 and was 48th overall. Veronica Grajeda was ninth in the JV girls race, running the course in 14:28.

Sophomore boys were paced by Troy Bedell, 45th in 12:37 and Marisol Aguayo was 12th for the sophomore girls in 14:07.

Escalon’s freshman boys were eighth overall as a team and Dan Luis was first across the line in 13:13, while Cady Wing was the first freshman girl to finish, running the course in 17:33.

Today, Wednesday, Sept. 2 the Cougars head to Legion Park in Modesto for the first Trans-Valley League meet of the season, beginning at 3:30 p.m.