Escalon cross country runners took part in the Trans-Valley League finals and Senior Night on Thursday, Oct. 24.

“Since cross country does not have duals or games between individual schools, we don’t have a home meet to have a senior night,” explained Escalon head coach Rick Heflin. “So the league several years ago decided to make the TVL finals everyone’s senior night. Each team brings a small gift for every senior.”

This year, Heflin added, the TVL had 50 seniors and 11 four-year lettermen. Escalon had seven seniors: Alex Jimenez, Adrian Roque, Angel Sanchez, Xavier Chavez, Victor Gonzales, Ross Calderon and Daniel Luis.

“Daniel and Victor are our only four-year lettermen. No senior girls this year,” said Heflin.

Escalon was not in a place record wise to win any titles at this meet but Heflin said that did not stop the athletes from running tons of personal records.

“Every runner crushed their first time on the course at the finals. Most runners ran their season or personal career record at the meet,” the coach noted.

Briana Briones was second overall in the varsity girls race and set a course record of 20:03.

Gabe Romero was 10th overall and the only varsity boy medalist for the Cougars in 17:55.

Taking second place in the frosh/soph boys race was CJ Borrego in 11:33.

Chloe Hernandez and Karla Cordova led the frosh/soph girls by finishing eighth and ninth in 15:06 and 15:10.

The next race on the schedule for Escalon is subsections in Frogtown on Saturday, Nov. 3. The first race will be the varsity boys at 12:50 p.m.

“Everyone goes to subs but to move on in the varsity you must place in the top ten teams or top ten individuals. Non-varsity races have to place in the top six teams or ten individuals,” Heflin said. “A big thank you to everyone that supported us this year.”