Cecilia Instebo took third at the season-opening Cuesta Invitational on Friday, leading the SBCC women’s cross country team to a fifth-place finish. She was clocked in 20:50.
Harley Arce was 12th for the Vaqueros in 22:01. Hartnell won the team title with 37 points. SBCC’s total was 109.
The SBCC men finished sixth, led by Matthew Bailey (12th in 22:30) and Ben Garland (14th, 22:33). L.A. Valley topped the men’s field with 51 points and the Vaqueros had 124.
“Our young team gained a lot of experience on a difficult course,” said coach Scott Fickerson. “Cecilia and Harley ran excellent tactical races and moved up very well over the course of the race. Like the men, we have a lot of work ahead of us, but this race will serve us well as we turn our attention to our upcoming races.
“I saw a lot of potential in our men. We will be much improved when we return to this course in six weeks for the WSC Championships. Matthew and Ben ran particularly strong. It’s a good start for us and we will progress from here.”
Cuesta Invitational
Men
Team — 1, L.A. Valley 51. 2, Saddleback 71. 3, Hartnell 85. 6, SBCC 124.
Individual — 1, Cristian Soratos, Hartnell, 21:07.
SBCC results — 12, Matthew Bailey 22:30. 14, Ben Garland 22:33. 22, Omar Padilla-Lopez 23:11. 37, Matt Sarborg 24:01. 41, Chino Garnica 24:17. 46, Nery Gonzalez 24:34. 54, Jamison Leighton 25:30.
Women
Team — 1, Hartnell 37. 2, Cuesta 43. 3, Canyons 86. 5, SBCC 109.
Individual — 1, Devon Kelsey, Cuesta, 19:38.
SBCC results — 3, Cecilia Instebo 20:50. 12, Harley Arce 22:01. 33, Rita Beltran 25:54. 38, Jenny Paul 27:52. 39, Ashleigh Giacomotti 27:53.
