Finals next for Aztec runners
VICTORVILLE • The Barstow cross country teams wrapped up the regular season with a quad meet at Silverado High School on Wednesday. It was a meet dominated by Granite Hills, which took first place in three of the four races.
“We didn’t quite perform to our potential, despite it being a flat and simple course,” said Aztecs head coach Mike Pitassi. “It doesn’t help our chances for a better finish in league, but, once again, we’ll take what we’ve learned and use it to improve.”
The best finish for the young Aztecs squads was in the JV girls race, in which the Lady Aztecs totaled 53 points, for second place behind Hills’ 15 points. The first Barstow runner over the line was Dolores Baca, who was eighth with a time of 29:25, followed by Vanessa Miranda at 29:40. Breanna Lucero was 11th at 30:29, with the next two spots also taken by Aztecs: Kathleen Long at 32:04, and Veronica Garnica’s 34:58.
Granite Hills’ Emily Packer was first, crossing the line in 21:29.
The JV boys were third with 66 points, behind Burroughs (26) and Hills (36). Silverado was fourth with 102 points. The top runner was Hills’ Zach Maroste, at 18:24.
The first Aztec finisher was Zack Rucker, ninth with a time of 19:56. Right on Rucker’s heels were Geung-Wei Lee, 10th at 20:10, and J.J. Burgos, 11th at 20:39. Chad Packer’s time of 20:59 placed him 13th.
Both varsity teams placed last, but had some good individual performances. The boys race was won by Hills, with 24 points, followed by Silverado (52), Burroughs (53) and Barstow (106). Granite’s James Lindstrom was first, with a time of 16:30.63. The Aztecs’ Alex Garcia was 17th at 18:58, with Frankie Baca just three seconds behind. Cristian Aguirre was 22nd at 19:24, and Christian Diaz (19:35), 23rd.
Hills led the girls race with 18 points, with Burroughs (52) second, Silverado (80) third, and Barstow (88) fourth. First place was a photo finish between two Hills runners, with Katie Deimling (20:29.48) reaching the line a fraction of a second before Holly Hele (20:29.73).
For the Lady Aztecs, finishing in 14th place was Maria Miranda, clocking in at 25:28, with Chyna Irvin 15th at 25:39, and Tatyana Padilla 16th at 25:41.
The Aztecs now prepare for the Desert Sky League Finals, which will be held on Halloween at Victor Valley College.
