Newest 5CTCA Runners of the Week Revealed

The NorCal Runners of the Week for October 2-3 come from Hartnell College and Lake Tahoe Community College. Izoida Ramirez and Elijah Gilleland both produced outstanding individual performances at the Pink in the Park race in Salinas, CA.

 

Izoida Ramirez, a freshman for the Panthers, has consistently placed at the front of every race this fall and was fifth overall at the Pink in the Park. Ramirez was the only other first year runners in the top 11 besides fellow ROTW recipients Cameron Macias and Yazmine Lachino-Robles. Her time of 19:16 moved her into Hartnell's top 10 all-time at Toro Park in just her first try. Ramirez was also top 10 at the NorCal Preview Meet and broke 20 minutes at Woodward Park back at The Crush Invitational.

 

Elijah Gilleland enjoyed a breakout performance at Pink in the Park placing 5th overall amongst 3C2A runners. Gilleland had a time of 20:59 on the challenging course making it his fastest four miles for Lake Tahoe. The mark also moves him into the top 75 all-time for the course. Gilleland was 14th at the Norcal Preview showing he has the ability to make the jump to All-Region in his final season. The sophomore has also run 21:37 at Woodward Park already this season just shy of his 21:18 PR there.

 

Southern California Runners of the Week come from LA Harbor and Long Beach City College with outstanding performances at The Masters Invitational and Pink in the Park Meet.

 

Mario Aluizo of LA Harbor was featured as one of the top returners in the state after placing third at the 3C2A State Championship. Aluizo was the top 3C2A runner at The Master Invitational in Santa Clarita in 24:56 over the extended 8k distance. He trailer only the top runners from Embry Riddle University and host The Masters. Aluizo was also fourth overall at Golden West but appears to rounding into championship form quickly.

 

Long Beach City College sophomore Nikie Costa went head to head with some of NorCal's top individuals and a challenging course at the Pink in the Park meet in Salinas. Costa earned a top 10 medal and lead the Vikings. Costa has shown a big improvement over last year starting the year 90 seconds faster at Woodward Park in 19:13. She was fifth overall at the Tuck Mason Invite and sixth at Golden West.