Members of the Oakdale High School cross country team participated in the Valley Oak League #2 Cluster Meet on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Mistlin Park in Ripon. It was a successful meet for the Mustangs as the varsity boys took first place and the varsity girls earned second place.

For the varsity boys, it was a five-kilometer race where a trio of Mustangs placed fourth, fifth and sixth. The swift Mustang runners all finished within two seconds of each other. Junior Ismael Dominguez placed fourth overall at 16:49. Seniors Mason Oliveira and Jackson Oliveira finished in fifth and sixth, respectively. Mason finished fifth at 16:50 and Jackson in sixth at 16:51. Oakdale is currently on top of the Valley Oak League standings.

Oakdale’s varsity girls competed in a five kilometer race as well. Although the team placed second overall sophomore Bradie Evans placed first overall in the race at 20:17. Placing in the top five was junior Audrie Scott finishing fourth overall at 21:32. Sixth place finisher Ava Calandro finished in 21:33. The varsity Lady Mustangs are currently in second place overall in the league standings.

The girls freshman and sophomore team competed in a two-mile run where the girls finished first place overall. The top three runners in the race were Mustangs. Freshman Zeidy Cornejo took first place at 14:50. Second place went to Susanna Orr at 15:34 and just a step behind her was Taylor Reams at 15:34 as well.

The Oakdale freshman and sophomore boys also took first place in their two-mile race. Freshman Quinn Baca placed first overall at 11:40. Second place went to Dirk Scott at 11:52 and in fifth place was sophomore Mitchell Benning at 12:29.

Saturday, Oct. 7, select members of the varsity boys team traveled to Fresno for the prestigious Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park. This was a 5,000 meter race. The talent level is high, as the event is for the top 26 teams in the state to compete. Oakdale finished third overall. Senior Omar Alsaidi placed in the top 10 when he finished in eighth place at 15:10. Senior Jackson Oliveira placed 16th overall at 15:24 and in 30th place overall, Mason Oliveira finished in 15:36.

“For the boys to take a third-place finish at the prestigious Clovis Invitational; they keep defying odds and expectations,” said coach Guy Fowler. “They basically just established themselves as the third best team in the entire state. In addition to their DIII state title last year, no team from our area has ever achieved anything close to this. It is truly unprecedented. Such accomplishments do not come without an incredible amount of dedication and sacrifice. We will get back to training and preparing for the championship part of our season.”