5CTCA announces Runners of the Week after opening cross country action

SALINAS - The 5CTCA has selected the following student-athletes as Runners of the Week for Week #1 of the 2023 season.

Santa Rosa Junior College sophomore Alexandra Van Holt and San Joaquin Delta College freshman Daniel Gonzales have been named 5CTCA Runners of the Week for Northern California with Saddleback College freshman Payton Love and Cuesta College sophomore Anthony Erickson receiving the honor for Southern California for Week #1. 

Alexandra Van Holt won her season debut for the Bearcubs competing on her home course at Spring Lake at the Pat Ryan Invitational. She outclassed the field by an outstanding 81 seconds. Van Holt, who was the 12th-place finisher at the Norcal Championship last fall, looks primed to move up in 2023. 

Daniel Gonzales, a newcomer from Lincoln High School, stormed away from the field at Spring Lake to win by 32 seconds in his debut. Gonzales flirted with the season's first sub 20-minute clocking, running 20:09 for the 4-mile course. With his early season victory, Gonzales puts his name on to a list of contenders for this year's regional title. 

Tour de Cuesta in San Luis Obispo played host to the first Socal meet of the 2023 season. Saddleback College ventured north to the Central Coast with freshman Payton Love recording her first victory as a Bobcat. Love was the winner by five seconds over the 5k layout on the John Fairbanks Cross Country course in 20:33. 

Anthony Erickson, last fall's 44th-place finisher at state, held off a pair of Moorpark runners to win his home debut. The Cuesta College sophomore enjoyed a comfortable 18-second victory in 22:04.

(5CTCA)