SALINAS — Cross country runners from Gonzales, Greenfield, and King City joined over 70 teams and 2000 plus runners at the Earlybird Invitational Cross Country Meet. The event was held at Toro Park had eight high school divisions and featured some of the best cross country teams in Northern California and Central California.
Greenfield High School had two runners medal in the junior boys division and one runner in the senior boys division. Placing in the junior boys were Rigo Garcia, who ran the three-mile course in 16:30 and placed 11th and Mauricio Arias who finished in a time of 17:17 and placed 23rd. Luis Meza of Greenfield placed 12th in the senior boys race in a time of 16:31.
The top frosh boys finishers from Gonzales, Greenfield, and King City were: Jose Luis De Jesus (GRE) 18:37; Josh Riley (KC) 19:50, and Ozzy Garcia (GO) 21:40. In the frosh girls Ashley Ochoa of Gonzales placed 36th in time of 21:53. Michelle Loa (KC) finished in 25:40 and Stephanie Mares of Greenfield finished in 27:38. The top sophomore boys finishers were: Ricardo Diaz (KC) 17:20, Ricardo Ortiz (GR) 18:25, and Andrew Funk (GO) 19:39. The top sophomore girls were: Alexandra Campos (GR) 23:43, Jocelyn Garcia (KC) 24:36, and Leslie Hernandez (GO) 27:16.
Fausto Medrano of King City led his team in the junior boys race in a time of 17:21. Junior girls top local finishers were Daniella Bedolla of King City in 23:01 and Erika Martinez of Greenfield in 23:19. Jack Voight led the King City boys in the senior race in 18:31 and Felix Romero of Gonzales ran the race in 19:46. Elizabeth Cazares of King City ran the senior girls race in 22:29, Maria Hernandez of Greenfield finished in 22:56, and Alondra Fierros of Gonzales finished in 27:51.
In Mission Trail Athletic League dual meet King City is at Carmel, Soledad and Gonzales compete at Pacific Grove, and Greenfield and Stevenson are at Santa Catalina.