The Aptos High boys cross country team, once again led by its trio of standout seniors, defeated Monte Vista Christian to remain unbeaten in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play.
Ben Laughlin won the 2.96-mile race in 15 minutes, 20 seconds, helping the Mariners secure a victory, 19-37, against the Mustangs on Friday.
John Eikemeyer (15:37) wasn’t too far behind as he placed second, followed by Aidan Tomasini (16:05) who finished third.
MVC senior Andrew Bachman (16:26) placed fourth, while sophomore James Ponzio (16:35) placed fifth out of 35 runners.
The Mariners are scheduled to race at St. Francis High School league play on March 4. The Mustangs will compete at Soquel High School against either the Knights, Harbor High or Pajaro Valley High in a league dual meet on that same day.
Watsonville 16, Pajaro Valley 47 >> Watsonville High senior Domingo Martinez was the top finisher, as he placed first in 17:12 in Thursday’s SCCAL dual meet against Pajaro Valley High.
Not far behind him was junior Sebastian Abonce (17:23) in second. Freshmen Jesus Vega (19:09) and Omar Delgado (19:44) continued to impress coach David Knight, as they placed third and fourth, respectively.
Junior Chris Lopez (20:06), senior Mateo Arias-Luna (20:16) and juniors Daniel Mata (20:36) and Elias Vasquez (20:40) finished 6th-9th, giving the Wildcatz the win against Pajaro Valley.
Grizzlies’ sophomore Jesus Basulto placed fifth in 20:03 followed by Freshman Jesse Rodriguez (22:04) in 10th. Sophomores Adrian Martinez (22:49) placed 11th, Raphael Monroy (30:01) placed 12th and Alex Aguilera (32:01) placed 13th.
The Wildcatz on March 4 will travel to Felton to take on San Lorenzo Valley High, while the Grizzlies will compete at Soquel High against either the Knights, Harbor High or Monte Vista Christian in a league dual meet on that same day.
Vargas leads Sharks to victory>> St. Francis High junior Julian Vargas was the fastest runner in Thursday afternoon’s dual meet against St. Abraham’s Christian Academy, a small private school in Rio Del Mar, in non-league action.
Vargas won in 16:06, while teammate sophomore Santiago Ramirez finished third in 18:18. Freshman Sole Ramirez (20:42) finished fifth and junior Jacques Morin (21:31) placed seventh.
St. Abraham junior Leif Martin (17:19) placed third, followed by freshmen Jake Paradiso (19:21) and Ryle Martin (21:29)
The Sharks will host Aptos High in league play on March 4.
Girls cross country
Mariners defeat Mustangs by way of default >> Aptos High senior Kirsten Martin won her second straight race of the season, as the Mariners defeated Monte Vista Christian by way of default in SCCAL play on Friday. The Mustangs weren’t able to muster at least five runners to finish the 2.94-mile race and were handed an incomplete score.
Martin won in 19:05, leading a squad that had nine of their runners place in the top-10. Senior Susana Estrada (19:34) placed second, followed by junior Annie Eikemeyer (19:56) and sophomore Brooke Willoughby (19:58) in third and fourth, respectively.
MVC sophomore Caelan Gilliam (20:07) clocked in a top-5 finish by placing fifth, while senior Julia Martin (23:41) placed 14th.
The Mariners are scheduled to race at St. Francis in league play on March 4.
‘Catz run wild at Pinto Lake >> Watsonville High senior Layla Ruiz led a pack of Wildcatz to an SCCAL victory over Pajaro Valley High on Thursday.
Ruiz won in 18:55, clocking in the fastest time of the afternoon at the 3-mile course at Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville. Fellow teammates senior Denise Corrales (21:47) placed second, sophomore Dahlia Barranco (22:17) finished third and sophomore Alexa Pedraza (26:39) captured fourth.
Pajaro Valley freshman Kimberly Aguirre (27:20) placed fifth, followed by freshman Lindsey Martinez (34:09) and sophomore Sara Molina (37:16) who finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Sharks’ trio takes top three spots >> St. Francis High freshman Azerati Ramirez was the top runner in Thursday’s non-league dual meet win against St. Abraham’s Christian Academy. She won in 22:11.
Sophomore Claire Burke (25:31) and freshman Samantha Me Martinez (26:26) placed second and third respectively. St. Abraham’s freshman Libby Reynolds (26:36) placed fourth.
The Sharks will host Aptos High in league play on March 4.
