COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Hosting the Sacramento Valley League finals on their home course, the Colusa RedHawks not only laid claim to both the varsity boys and girls titles, but also had the race winner in each of the two contests.
“It was a perfect day for our runners to highlight their hard work from the season,” said Colusa coach Matt Giffin.
“Nearly every single athlete on our team ran their fastest time.
Five of our girls earned All-League distinction and six of our boys did as well.”
It was the third straight year that the RedHawk boys came away with the league title and this year the team was led by junior Benji Granados, who took the top spot in a blistering time of 17:26 on the 3.1 mile, hilly course.
Following Granados to also earn All-League recognition was Jose Ceron (18:43) in fourth, Cesar Cruz (19:00) in sixth, Felix Venancio (19:53) in seventh, William England (20:08) in eighth, and Trenton Griffith (20:17) in ninth.
Sophomore Rajdeep Shoker easily secured first overall in the varsity girls competition with a time of 23:02, heading up the RedHawk girls team which won the championship for the second time in three years.
Completing Colusa’s squad that beat out Pierce 22-36, was Giselle Valdes (25:06) in third, Sophia Thompson (27:55) in seventh, Vianca Cardona (28:46) in ninth and Josslyn Garcia (29:13) in tenth.
Pierce also had a strong showing in the varsity girl’s race with Karina Grajedra (24:33) and Carla Moreno (27:52) finishing second and sixth respectively to earn places on the All-SVL team.
In the JV girl’s competition, the Bears’ Grace Szmurlo (17:10) and Pamela Vernon (19:39) took the top two spots, while teammate Mia Mendoza (23:32) finished fifth.
RedHawks Olivia Stever (20:12) and Mia Cowsert (21:05) were in turn third and fourth at the two mile distance.
Pierce’s Abram Carillo (12:51) finished the JV boys race in fifth place behind a pack of runners from Willows.
Both Colusa and Pierce were at the Northern Section CIF finals at West Valley High School in Cottonwood on Nov. 9.