On August 31, Flashes Cross Country travelled to Santa Barbara to Compete in the Gaucho Invitational. Above is Senior Diana Santa Rosa who placed 31st with a time of 21:17. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.

Above is FHS Senior Omar Heredia in the Boys Championship 5K race at the Gaucho Invitational on August 31, 2024, Omar finished 40th with a time of 17:20. Photo credit Coach Anthony Chavez.

By Epi Torres

On August 31st, the Fillmore Cross Country teams traveled to Santa Barbara to compete in the Gaucho Invitational. This meet is contested on the University of California, Santa Barbara Campus. Athletes had the option of running the 2 loops, 5 kilometer course or the single loop course of 1.52 miles. Race selection was determined by the athletes in the past times and their coaches’ decision based on a variety of factors.

Two Fillmore athletes competed in the Girls Championship 5K. Jessica Orozco was the top Fillmore finisher placing 17th in 20:28. Teammate Diana Santa Rosa placed 31st in 21:17. Jessica was a medal winner in this race.
Omar Heredia was the lone runner for Fillmore in the Boys Championship 5K race. Omar was the 40th finisher in this race, posting a time of 17:20.

In the girls 5K race, Miley Tello ran a 22:56. She captured a medal for her 11th place finish. This was the best finish for a Fillmore athlete on the day. Melanie Flores placed 51st in her first distance race in a time of 24:40. Jannet Vega placed 64th in 26:20, and Xitlali Guerrero was 66th in 26:49.

In the boys Varsity 5K, Damian Castaneda placed 78th in 20:05. He was followed by Andres Moreno 88th in 20:44, Erick Traver in 119th in 21:42, and Alex Diaz 148th in 24:21.

In the girls 1.52K, Emily Soltero was 62nd in 12:18. She was followed by Valerie Rodriguez was102nd in 14:00.
In the boys 1.52K, Nico Cerda was the only Fillmore competitor. He placed 95th in 11:09.

The Cross-Country teams will next compete at the Citrus Coast League Meet on 9/12.