On Saturday, Fillmore Cross Country Athletes competed on the Lake Casitas 3 Mile Cross Country course over a challenging terrain that tested all runners’ ability to run well over a hilly course. The meet brought together many of the top teams competing for bragging rights and the title of Ventura County Cross Country Champions. The Flashes competed in all the races, fielded 5 complete teams and two races with only 4 individuals.

Four Fillmore Athletes competed in the first race of the day, the Frosh Boys. Leading the way was Camilo Torres in his first race of the season after suffering through a lower leg injury. Camilo finished in a creditable 6th place overall and first in the Small School Division in a time of 18:09.9. James Flores followed in 35th, posting a time of 19:58, Eneyin Ortega 80th in 22:47, and Alotl Aparicio 99th in 22:57.

The Frosh Sophomore Girls followed and in the team competition finished in 15th place. Fillmore’s top runner was Isabella De La Cruz who finished in 44th in a time of 22:33.3. She was followed by Angelica Herrera 67th in 23:56.2, Jasmine Vega 90th in 27:02.1, Emma Ortiz 95th in 27:21.9 and Isabel De La Cruz 100th in 28:03.6.

The Varsity Girls fielded a complete team and captured the team championship in this race. They were led by Carissa Rodriguez who finished in 6th place running a personal best on this course of 18:48.3. She was followed by Diana Perez 16th in 19:32, Nicole Gonzalez 21st in 19:57.1, Vanessa Avila 26th in 20:12.8, and Andrea Marruffo 50th in 21:08.4. All of the girls on this team earned individual medal, team t-shirts, and a team plaque.

The Varsity Boys also ran well and finished in 7th place in the team competition. Nick Villela led Fillmore runners finishing in 24th place in a time of 16:22.5. Rey Laureano followed in 36th in 16:38.9, Fabian Del Villar 38th in 16:40.9, Erick Gutierrez 58th in 17:03, Jesus Martinez 60th in 17:07.7, Davis Flores 71st in 17:28.1, and Alex Manzo 80th in 17:46.5. The top 5 Fillmore athletes were awarded individual medals in this race.

The Sophomore Boy ran 4 individuals. They were led by Matthew Munoz who finished in 9th place and posted an excellent time of 17:53.2. Jesse De La Cruz returned to competition after rehabbing a hamstring injury and finished in 22nd in 18:21.4. He was followed by Andres Gonzalez 80th in 21:23.8, and Anthony Estrella (Time and place not available). The first two athletes in this race earned individual championship medals.

The JV Girls were led by Emma Orozco who captured 48th place in 24:27.4 and teammate Maribel Mejia followed in 125th place in a time of 28:21.3.

The JV Boy ran to a 6th place team finish. The top runner for this group was Jesus Cadena who finished in 18th place in a time of 17:51.2. He was followed by Juan Carlos Laureano 27th in 18:14.3, Alexander Recancoj 34th in 18:29.4, Andrew Otineru 41st in 18:42.2, Jorge Acevedo 54th in 19:21, Luis Leon 83rd in 20:45.5, Daniel Cruz 88th in 20:56.4, and Anthony Gonzalez 123rd in 23:49.2. The top 3 Fillmore runners were individual medal winners.

The team wills next travel to the much heralded Mt. SAC Invitational, the largest meet in the nation. They will compete on Friday the 19th against some of the best teams in the nation on a very challenging course.