Williams’s junior Isabella Santillan is quietly moving up the ranks of the Northern Section’s best distance runners after turning in a strong showing at the West Valley Invitational last Friday in Cottonwood.
A state qualifier in cross-country earlier in the year, and an All-League soccer player to boot, the versatile Santillan set personal records in the 3200 (12:59.9) and the 1600 (5:53) which was good for sixth and 10th place, respectively, at the meet, which included participants from 24 teams across Northern California.
Battling a hamstring injury she suffered in the Yellowjackets’ final soccer game of the season, Santillan, who had run in only three races prior to the West Valley meet, continues to shave time off her marks as she gets closer to full strength, an accomplishment that Coach Dan McDonald says is not surprising in the least.
“Getting Isabella healed so that she could run and compete has been a very slow process,” said McDonald. “She is blessed with talent, speed, and the mental toughness it takes to run long distances, and continues to post faster times each week. I am very proud of her. She is an incredible student-athlete.”
Earlier last week, at just the second Mid-Valley League meet in Durham, Santillian won the 3200 in a time of 13:09, and finished second in 1600, crossing the line in 6:05.
Santillan and the ‘Jackets are next scheduled to compete at Corning’s Gary Burton Invitational on Friday. ■
