Senior Irma Torres charges up the hill.

Freshman Andrea Marruffo

Photo courtesy Selby Photography

On Friday, the Fillmore Cross Country teams competed at the Mt SAC Invitational the worlds largest cross country invitational. Five full teams stepped to the line for the Flashes with three partial teams also competing.

The freshmen girls were the first team to toe the starting line and ran well enough to finish in 4th place among 63 teams, missing the podium by a mere 3 points. Leading the group was Julissa Martinez who finished 22nd in 22:55, followed by Emma Orozco 29th in 23:32, Susie Garcia 36th in 23:42, Cynthia Hurtado 68th in 25:14, and Briana Lopez 77th in 25:53.

The freshman boys team followed and also finished in 4th out of 45 schools missing the last podium spot by 10 points. Leading the pack was Nick Villela 12th in 19:00, Sergio Perez 22nd in 19:48, Roberto Magana 23rd in 19:51, Jorge Acevedo 46th in 21:00, and Daniel Cruz 144th in 24:50.

Two individuals represented Fillmore in the sophomore girls division. Maria Ruvalcaba finished in 59th and posted a time of 24:44. She was followed by Yakeline Magana who finished in 112th in 26:43.

Three athletes competed in the sophomore boys race. Leading the way was Christian Andrade, a medal winner who finished in 8th place in a fine 18:53. He was followed by Everardo Garcia Magana 22nd in 19:47, and our third runner Mario Hurtado finished 39th in 20:34.

Two individuals competed in the girls JV race. This race had 149 competitors. Lauren Magdaleno led the way finishing in 11th and medaling in a time of 23:33. Marisol Martinez finished in 72nd in 26:09.

In the boys JV race the team finished 8th among 54 teams. John Chavez was the top finisher for the Flashes in 8th place running a time of 18:35 and medaling, he was followed by Josue Baez 23rd in 19:28, Steven Valencia 90th in 21:17, Dean Lomeli 129th in 22:17, and Misael Ponce 193rd in 23:31.

The boys varsity finished in 3rd place, there by making the podium and winning team medals. Top finisher and individual medal winner was Jose Rodriguez who finished in 11th in 17:01, followed by Michael Sanchez 17th in 17:05, Curtis Ponce 37th in 17:48, Johnny Martinez 46th in 18:02, Adrian Orozco 54th in 18:14, and Johnny Ordaz 64th in 18:26.

The final race of the day showcased Fillmore's varsity girls who did not disappoint finishing 1st in their division of 34 schools. The Lady Flashes were led by freshman Carissa Rodriguez. Carissa finished 2nd overall in 19:04, followed by Lupita Perez 4th in 19:23, Andrea Marruffo 24th in 21:17, Irma Torres 32nd in 21:31, Jackie Chavez 35th in 21:42, Erika Ruiz 39th in 21:59, and Kimberly Vazquez 43rd in 22:08.

Friday, October 30th, the Flashes will travel to Ojai to compete against some of the top teams in California at the Ventura County Cross Country Championships at Lake Casitas. For more information visit our website at Fillmorecrosscountry.com.