by Christopher Zepeda - Hartnell Cross Country
Hartnell's Bonilla Notches Second Win in San Francisco, Duarte Steps Up for Ladies
Sophomore Edgar Bonilla has raced two weekends in a row and come away with two wins. This week it was in San Francisco at the Lou Vasquez Invitational hosted by City College of San Francisco. The former King City star runner distanced himself from Ozzie Hassen of American River College over the final mile to an eight second win 20:36 to 20:44. Hassen was the regional preview champion but Bonilla has not bested the runner from American River College in the last two competitions. Bonilla produced the sixth best four mile time in school history on the course. Despite Bonilla's individual victory, the Panthers could not hold off a tightly packed American River team which tallied 31 points to the Panthers 57 for second. With both squads separated by as little as one point one weekend and less than a second in team time here, a monumental battle for the regional title is building for November 4. Oscar Mora, Jr. was the next highest placing finisher for the Panthers in ninth (21:11) with teammate Mario Perez, Jr. (21:15) just behind in thirteenth (21:15). Jorge Sanchez (21:17) and and Andrew Martinez (21:27) completed the top five. Angel Mejia, Jr. (21:33) and Jonathan Saldana (21:38) rounded out the top seven. The Panthers carry a current state ranking of fifth into their home meet on October 7 at San Lorenzo Park in King City.
Sophomore Beatriz Duarte has been on a steady climb up the regional women's ladder placing eleventh at the regional preview and fifth at the state preview last week. This week, Duarte moved up again placing fourth overall in a lifetime best 19:47. Her time was 1:38 seconds faster than her first year attempt on the same course and made her the twelfth best performer in school history at Golden Gate Park. She's easily become one of the most improved women not only in the state but in the region joining teammate Yvette Felix as potential top five finishers come November. Felix struggled slightly here placing seventh but also in a personal best 20:08. Freshman Leslie Oseguera (20:51) and sophomore Alyssa Sanchez (20:54) finished close together in 18th and 19th place. Frosh Jocelyn Cervantes (21:15) notched a lifetime best to complete the team score. The Lady Panthers placed second to top ranked College of the Sequoias and easily in front of third place and conference rival DeAnza College. Tanya Campos (21:58) and Adriana Jimenez (22:58) rounded out the top seven. The Lady Panthers are ranked ninth in the state entering the second half of the season.