Pictured above is Fillmore Condors Eva Dunlap and her awards. Photo credit Head Coach Kenny Leighton.

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, multiple local youth from the Fillmore Condors Youth Cross Country Club competed at the AAU National Cross Country Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee. Pictured is McKayla Magana with her medals. Photo credit Head Coach Kenny Leighton.

Courtesy Ken Leighton Jr.
Knoxville, TN — December 6 — The Fillmore Condors Youth Cross Country Club capped off four months of dedication, discipline, and growth with an inspiring showing at the AAU National Cross Country Championships in Knoxville, Tennessee.
What began as a rebuilding year — with nearly half the previous roster moving on to high school — quickly transformed into a season of determination and achievement. The Condors opened the year with 19 athletes, and by the conclusion of the League Championship on October 25, nine runners had earned the right to compete on the national stage.
These nine athletes joined forces with conference partners to represent the Valley United Striders, taking on a challenging, mud soaked course against top teams from across the country.
Two Condors, McKayla Magana and Eva Dunlap, delivered standout performances as members of the Valley United 8U Gremlin Girls team, helping secure a National Championship title.
Individual race results for the Condors included:
Luna Ochoa — 4K in 19:20
Yanir Acevado — 4K in 17:40
Christine Beltran — 3K in 13:49
Nate Magana — 3K in 12:46
Zack Magana — 3K in 13:34
Ares Sanchez — 2K in 8:57
McKayla Magana — 2K in 9:18
Eva Dunlap — 2K in 9:16
CJ Ibarra — 1K in 7:22 (youngest Condor competitor)
The Fillmore Condors coaching staff and community expressed tremendous pride in the athletes’ accomplishments, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the season.
Coaches said the team’s performance reflects steady progress throughout the season and signals continued growth for the program.
“We are incredibly proud of our runners and the program they are rebuilding,” the club shared. “Their commitment and heart were on full display at Nationals, and this experience will fuel the next chapter of Condors cross country.”
For information on the upcoming Track Field season and information on the Condors 2026 season Please visit WWW.Blazerstrack.org
***
Fillmore Area Youth Excel at AAU Nationals
By Epi Torres
On Saturday, December 6th, several youth cross country runners from Fillmore, Piru, Santa Paula, and Ventura competed at the AAU Cross Country Nationals in Knoxville, Tennessee, running under the banner of the Valley United Striders. A total of 132 athletes participated in races ranging from 1 kilometer to 5 kilometers across age groups from 6 and under to 14 years of age. In the youngest division (6 and under, 1K), Fillmore Condor Christian Ibarra finished 69th with a time of 7:22.4. In the 7-8 age group (2K), Ventura's Ares Sanchez placed 62nd (8:57.4), while fellow Ventura athletes Eva Dunlap and McKayla Magana finished 33rd (9:16.0) and 35th (9:18.6), respectively. The Valley United Striders were the number 1 team in this division. Moving up to the 9-10 Boys 3K, Fillmore Condor Zachariah Magana finished 153rd (13:34.0). In the 11-12 Boys 3K, Nathaniel Magana, also a Condor, placed 202nd (12:46.3). The 13-14 age group featured a 4K distance, where Ventura's Yahir Acevedo finished 202nd (17:40.3), and Fillmore Condor Luna Ochoa placed 152nd (19:20.2). These athletes will now shift their focus to preparing for the upcoming track season, which is scheduled to begin in February.