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Runners Make History; Squads Section Bound
girls
The girls varsity cross country team is headed to the Sac-Joaquin Section Finals. Shown are team members (not in order): Kristin Aguilar, Taylor Aloisio, Kendra Branch, Piper Collins, Ruby Houchens, Kayden Legan, Jazmin Martinez, Karina Prado, Suzey Ramirez. Photo Contributed

For the first time in Oakdale High School’s cross country history, both the varsity boys and varsity girls teams have advanced to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Meet. The historic feat was achieved on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Sub-Sections at Frogtown in Angels Camp.

The varsity boys finished eighth in the sub-section and the girls placed 10th overall as a team to qualify for Saturday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Finals in Folsom.

Helping pave the way for the boys team were a trio of juniors. Daniel Prado placed 38th overall in the five kilometer race at Frogtown with a time of 17:58. Less than 30 seconds behind him was Cesar Garcia at 18:26 finishing in 53rd overall. Six seconds behind Garcia was James Forkner at 18:32 to finish in 59th overall.

Oakdale’s freshman Lady Mustangs helped carry the varsity girls to the 10th place finish. In a crowded pack of varsity girl runners, it was freshman Karina Prado who impressed the field with her 10th place overall finish at 20:11. Kayden Legan finished in 32nd overall with a time of 21:50 and fellow freshman teammate Jazmin Martinez placed 59th overall with a time of 23:18.

“Going in we knew we had a chance. Almost all the boys team (members) have competed here before but more than half the girls team was experiencing it for the first time,” coach Guy Fowler noted. “Both teams were excited that they get to run one more week and are looking forward to the challenge of improving on this week’s performance.”