And We're Off--the Season Begins (Turlock v Pitman)

Yesterday was the unofficial kick-off for the XC season. In a friendly rivalry scrimmage the Bulldogs of Turlock HS met the Pride of Pitman HS at Donnelly Park. It was HOT! That, and given the limited conditioning of many of the athletes, made this pancake flat course tougher than usual.

On the boys' side it was all Turlock as they took the top seven spots. David Bozquez showed he is ready for the big time. He took the lead at the gun and powered to a time of 17:22 (exactly matching Javier Lara's winning time from last year.)

Bozquez led from wire to wire

1. David Bozquez (Turlock) 17:22
2. Eric Alvarez (Turlock) 18:01
3. Johnny Hollcraft (Turlock) 18:01
4. Carlos Salas (Turlock) 18:18
5. Jack Wooley (Turlock) 18:19
6. Primo Manzo (Turlock) 18:30
7. Rigo Maldonado (Turlock) 18:45
8. Kyle Reid (Pitman) 18:51
9. Will Anderson (Turlock) 18:52
10. Keith Reid (Pitman) 18:53

Turlock's large pack

On the girls' side the team race was a bit closer. At the halfway point Pitman runners had the top three spots which would have given them an insurmountable advantage. As the race progressed the large Turlock pack overtook the third Pitman runner giving the Bulldogs a 25-34 team victory. The Pride's Priscilla Bazan and Bianca Garcia lead the way. The times were a lot slower than the winning time of 19:42 from last year, but every season has to begin somewhere.

Siegel, Bazan, and Garcia led Pitman

1. Priscilla Bazan (Pitman) 21:52
2. Bianca Garcia (Pitman) 21:54
3. Maria Varela (Turlock) 22:17
4. Cassie Derdivanis (Turlock) 22:18
5. Ade Fredeen (Turlock) 22:18
6. Meghan Hopkins (Turlock) 22:19
7. Paola Garcia (Turlock)
8. Sarah Siegel (Pitman)
9. Erin Knopp-Sargoni (Turlock)
10. Megan Drew (Turlock)

Riverbank, Hughson, and Big Valley will all be in action tomorrow at the Lodi Flame Inv. 

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