Panthers Dominate Early Season Home Meet
With a lethal combination of seasoned veterans and motivated newcomers, this year's Hartnell College cross country teams could be two of the best in school history. On Friday, Hartnell hosted a very early season preview of the Northern California regional championship course with teams from DeAnza College, Merritt College, College of San Mateo and College of the Siskiyous in attendance. On the women's side, the Lady Panthers scored a perfect 15 points with ten women placing in the top 14 overall. The men outdid their female counterparts by also scoring a perfect 15 points but placed twelve men in the top 14.
Sophomore Malena Grover, a former Salinas High School standout, begins the 2015 season as a returning CCCAA All-American and second best returnee in the region. Friday she raced solo to the victory over the three mile course at Toro Park in 18:46. Her time was a personal best by 12 seconds and moves her to the second best Hartnell female ever to complete the course. She trails only 10,000 meter record holder Kathy Lenno's 18:26. Grover was followed by fellow all-region teammates Rachel Shimabukuro (19:44) in third and Nancy Rodriguez (19:47) in fourth. They were joined in succession by Cynthia Tovar (20:13), Yvette Felix (20:29), Lizette Garcia (20:31), Yessika Mayo (20:31), Maria Rodriguez (20:36), Adriana Jimenez (20:36), and Carly Zako (20:39).
Former CIF all-state runner Edgar Bonilla started his Hartnell College career with the win in 20:55. The former King City High School standout becomes one of the few true freshman to ever run under 21:00 for the four mile layout at Toro Park. He was followed by fellow freshmen Eduardo Orozco (21:21) and Angel Mejia (21:35). Sophomores Rene Siqueiros (21:39) and Diego Avila (21:46) rounded out the Panther scoring. Also placing in the top were Williams Ordaz (21:46), Javier Garcia (21:57), Oscar Mora (22:03), Maria Perez (22:19), Tito Chaidez (22:20), Andrew Martinez (22:26), and Jose Ruiz (22:45).
Hartnell College will host the 2015 Northern California Championship at Toro Park on Friday, November 6. The Panthers will compete next Friday at the Fresno Invitational hosted Fresno City College.