By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Varsity Girls Win VOL Title In Cross Country
chavez.JPG
Shown is senior Dustin Chavez on his way to the finish line. There to greet him were members of the Oakdale High School cheerleading squad. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER
humble.JPG
Racing downhill at Bloomingcamp Ranch is Haleigh Humble. The freshman finished in first place in the VOL Championship and the Oakdale varsity girls claimed the title. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

For the first time this season, Oakdale’s cross country teams got to race in front of their home fans. On Wednesday, Oct. 24 Oakdale hosted the Valley Oak League Championship at Bloomingcamp Ranch. Runners from Weston Ranch, Central Catholic, Kimball, Manteca, Sierra and East Union came to town to compete in a grueling three mile run.

Taking top honors and winning the Valley Oak League title was the Oakdale Lady Mustangs varsity team. In the race freshman Haleigh Humble completed the race on the hill course in first place overall with a speedy time of 19:03.6.

“I really wasn’t expecting to finish in first. I honestly just wanted to run well enough to help out the team,” said the modest freshman.

Earlier in the year Humble set a school record.

Taking second place, and crossing the finish line 10 seconds after Humble was Kayden Legan. She turned in a time of 19:13.8.

“That’s a tough course and I am glad that we won the Valley Oak League. Haleigh is an amazing runner, she has been all season,” said Legan following the race.

Taking sixth place overall was freshman Hannah Beth Norman as she crossed the finish line at 21:02.3.

For the varsity boys team, senior Justin Chavez took second overall in the three mile run at 16:23.5. This was the first season that Chavez participated in cross country and has improved each week time wise.

“I really did not have too high of expectations for myself, until my first race and then I started to put my best effort into it like I have done with wrestling or anything else I do,” said Chavez.

Tanner Cusano placed eighth overall at a time of 17:27.5. The next fastest Mustang to cross the finish line was Ernesto Gonzalez at 18:59.7, finishing 25th overall. As a team Oakdale’s varsity boys finished fourth.

In frosh/soph boys Daimien Linn placed seventh overall and was the first Oakdale runner to complete the two mile run in 12:31.3. Cesar Flores completed the race in 13:06.1 and just missed the top ten to finish in 11th place.

This Saturday, Nov. 3 the runners will lace up their shoes and head to Frogtown and compete in the CIF Sub-Sections.