Month: October 2020

High School Girls XC Poll: Week 4

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top cross country female runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to and 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 151 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 5K/3-mile boys and girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule

Americas Invitational: 8 a.m., Oct. 9 at the Socorro Activities Center. Americas, Socorro, Eastlake, Ysleta, Del Valle, YWLA, Coronado

Cathedral/Harmony Invitational: 8 a.m. Oct. 10 at Veterans Park.Harmony, Cathedral, Chapin, Parkland, Anthony, Bowie, Jefferson

Horizon Invitational: 8 a.m., Oct. 10 at Horizon High School. Horizon, El Dorado, Clint, Riverside, Fabens, Burges, Canutillo.

Austin/El Paso Invitational: 8 a.m. Oct. 10 at Skyline Park. Austin, El Dorado, Irvin, Andress, Valle Verde, Loretto, El Paso High.

Parra Law XC Classic: 8 a.m. Oct. 10 at Vista Country Club. Eastwood, Montwood, Bel Air, Hanks, San Eli, Franklin, Pebble Hills, Mt.View, Tornillo.

The base of the Franklin Mountains served as the most rugged part of the course at the Franklin Invitational at the Don Haskins Recreational Center last week.

Top 10

1. Franklin: Franklin took the first seven spots in route to a perfect score (15 points) at its own invitational at the Don Haskins Recreational Center. Franklin was again led by Eva Jess (first, 18:16.91), Ally Little was second in 18:39.33, Alyssa Laspada third in 19:14.63, Jenna Saunders was fourth in 19:43.31; Jordan Torres (fifth, 19:56.30), Michele Paillard (sixth,  20:04.58) and Sofia Camacho (seventh, 20:27.05). Amanda Sotelo was ninth for Franklin (21:06.85). Franklin, which is ranked No. 5 in Class 6A by MileSplitTx,  will race at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

2. Montwood: The Rams rested last week. The team will resume action at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

3. Eastwood: Eastwood placed fourth in the high school Championship Race at the 13th annual Desert Twilight Cross Country Meet on Friday night with 132 points. Amber Martin lead the Troopers, placing 13th in 20:40.65. Junior Lauren Walls-Portillo was 10th in the girl’s high school Sweepstakes Division finishing in 18:14.62. The team will race at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

4. Jefferson: The Foxes were second at the Franklin Invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center, scoring 62 points. Crystal Peterson was eighth in 20:45.57 and Monique Correa was 10th in 21:09.61. The team is scheduled to race the Cathedral/Harmony Invitational at Veterans Park.

5. Coronado: The T-Birds won the Canutillo/Anthony Invitational at Canutillo Middle Sc hool scoring 45 points. Kyra Walker was second (21:12.59) and Alexa Lawrence was third (21:26.33) to pace Coronado. The team will race at the Americas Invitational at the Socorro Student Activities Complex on Friday.

6. Canutillo. The Eagles did not run a full team at its own invitational at Canutillo Middle School but they did have three runners in the top 10 – Ivy Lara, (21:59.18), Natalie Rivera, (22:02.78) and Vanessa Preciado (22:03.36). The Eagles will run at the Horizon Invitational at Horizon High School.

7. El Paso High: The Tigers move up three spots after winning the 2.9-mile Eastlake Invitational at the Socorro Student Activities Complex with 20 points. El Paso High placed four girls in the top 10 – Alissa Kennedy (third, 19:55.4), Jezarae Valenzuela (fourth, 19:59.9), Shayla Cohen Jones (fifth, 20:02.8) and Vivian Shaheen (tenth, 22:15.1). The team will race at the Austin/El Paso Invitational at Skyline Park.

8. Tornillo. The Coyotes continue to improve with each week, winning the Loretto Invitational at Veterans Park. Kylene Elias won in 20:19.07 to lead the Coyotes to a team championship with 32 points. Including Elias, Tornillo had four runners in the top 10 – Nat Escajeda (seventh, 21:46.43), Olivia Garcia (eighth, 21:51.64) and Brianna Ibarra (tenth, 22:16.78). The team will race at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

9. Hanks: The Knights drop two spots after its second-place finish at the Eastlake Invitational at the Socorro Student Activities Complex. Hanks scored 37 points and had three runners in the top 10 including runner-up Mia Rivera (19:40:00.0), Madison Spencer (seventh, 20:47.0) and Jade Baca (ninth, 21:19.3). The team will be challenged at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

10. Bel Air. The Highlanders drop a spot after challenging themselves at the 13th annual Desert Twilight Cross Country Meet. The team was 12th in the high school Championship Race with 132 points. Abigail Murillo finished Abagail Murillo 23rd in 21:00.46. The team race at the Parra Law XC Classic at Vista Hills Country Club.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Eastlake, Loretto, Pebble Hills.

Franklin senior Ally Little, running in her first cross country season, was second at the Franklin Invitational finishing in 18:39.33, her personal best and good enough for third fastest in the city.

Top times (5K/3Mile)

1, Lauren Portillo-Walls, Eastwood, 18:14.62 (Desert Twilight, 10/2).

2, Eva Jess, Franklin, 18:16.91 (Haskins Center, 10/3).

3, Ally Little, Franklin, 18:39.33 (Haskins Center, 10/3).

4, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 19:12.42 (Veterans Park, 9/26).

5, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 19:14.63 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

6, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:43.31 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin 19:56.30 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

8, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:04.58 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

9, Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 20:19.07 (Veterans Park, 10/3).

10, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:23.25 (Veterans Park, 10/3).

11, Andrea Villagomez, Horizon, 20:26.27 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

12, Sofia Camacho, Franklin 20:27.05 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

13, Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 20:31.75 (Veterans Park, 10/3).

14, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 20:33.90. (SAC, 9/19).

15, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 20:36.30 (Del Valle, 9/19).

16, Chondra Espino, Canutillo, 20:36.59 (Veterans Park, 9/26). 

17, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 20:39.25 (Del Valle, 9/19).

18, Amber Martin, Eastwood, 20:40.65 (Desert Twilight, 10/2).

19, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 20:42.30 (Veterans Park, 9/26).

20, Isabella Medina, Americas 20:43.50 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

21, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 20:45.57 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

22, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 20:50.88 (Del Valle, 9/19).

23, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 20:52.12 (Veterans Park, 9/26).

24, Samantha Ramirez, Socorro, 20:56.46 (Skyline Park, 9/12).

25, Karyme Garcia, Montwood, 20:57.00 (SAC, 9/19).

Jefferson harriers Crystal Peterson – who was eighth in 20:45.57 at Franklin – and Monique Correa (tenth in 21:09.61) are two of the city’s strongest runners.

Power rankings

(number in parenthesis indicate meets won)

1, Eva Jess, Franklin, 40 (4).

1, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 40 (4).

3, Ally Little, Franklin, 35.

4, Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 30 (3).

5, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 28.

6, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 25.

6, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 25.

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 24.

9, Andrea Villagomez, Horizon, 23 (1).

10, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 22.

10, Alissa Kennedy, El Paso, 22.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 20.

Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 20 (1).

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19 (1).

Megan Kirtley, Eastlake, 18.

Nat Escajeda, Tornillo, 18.

Sara Armendariz, Bel Air, 17 (1).

Michele Paillard, Franklin, 17.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 16 (1).

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 16.

Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 16.

Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 16.

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 16.

Britney Martinez, Loretto, 15.

Samantha Ramirez, Socorro, 14.

Morayma Montes, Austin, 14.

Karyme Garcia, Montwood, 13.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 13.

Shayla Cohen Jones, El Paso, 13.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 13.

Jordan Torres, Franklin, 12.

Isabella Medina, Americas, 11.

Jelia Lugo, Jefferson, 11.

Rosemary Torres, Bel Air, 10.

Chondra Espino, Canutillo, 9.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 9.

Ivy Lara, Canutillo, 9.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 8.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 8.  

Trinity Martinez, Eastwood, 8.

Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 8.

Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 8.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin 7.

Natalie Espinosa, Montwood, 7.  

Desiree Carrillo, Eastwood, 7.

Annette Guzman, Burges, 7.

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso High, 7.

Amber Martin, Eastwood, 6

Janice Olivas, Clint, 6.

Madison Spencer, Hanks, 6.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 5.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 5.

Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 5.

Selma Licon, Eastwood, 5.

Wendy Garcia, Tornillo, 5.

Amaryllis Rubalcaba, Eastwood, 5.

Itzel Garcia, Americas, 4.

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 4.

Valeria Loo-King, Del Valle, 4.

Caryn Hart, Andress, 4.

Vivian Zapata, Clint, 4.

Emilee Antimo, Burges, 4.

Aylin Tepezano, Clint, 3

Irma Munoz, Jefferson, 3.

Maria Hobbs, Loretto, 3.

Mia Vargas, Americas, 3.

Sarah Villaronga, Franklin, 3.

Vanessa Preciado, Canutillo, 3.

Jaquelin Gonzalez, Horizon, 3.

Brianna Ibarra, Tornillo, 3.

Jaslyne Ramirez, Del Valle, 2.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Eva Asfahani, Coronado, 2.

Jasmine Martinez, Eastwood, 2.

Alexis Vasquez, Eastwood, 2.

Jade Baca, Hanks, 2.

Monica Hagerich, Eastwood, 2.

Amanda Sotelo, Franklin, 2.

Yanitza Olivares, Socorro, 1.

Genisis Guereca, Bel Air, 1.

Lauren Anderson, Americas, 1.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 1.

Vivian Shaheen, El Paso High, 1.    

Iris Baca, Horizon, 1.

Monday Cool Down: Getting to know Parkland’s Angie Lujan-Marrufo

Parkland senior Angie Lujan-Marrufo is off to a fast start this season, winning four straight invitationals.

On Saturday, Angie Lujan-Marrufo ran away with her fourth individual championship of 2020 at the Canutillo/Anthony Invitational.

The Parkland High School senior completed the course at Canutillo Middle School in 19:56.37, well ahead of Coronado teammates Kyra Walker (21:12.59) and Alexa Lawrence (21:26.33).

The T-Birds won the team championship with 45 points, followed by Clint (81), Del Valle (83), Parkland (131) and Riverside (150).

Filling out the top 10 were Annette Guzman, Burges (21:28.37), Janice Olivas, Clint, (21:56.31), Ivy Lara, Canutillo (21:59.18), Natalie Rivera, Canutillo (22:02.78), Vanessa Preciado, Canutillo, (22:03.36), Vivian Zapata, Clint (22:05.75) and Emily Antimo, Burges (22:10.40).

Entering week four of the cross-country season, Lujan-Marrufo owns the city’s second best 5K/3-mile time turning in a 19:12.42 at Veterans Park on Sept. 26.

Her success is quite amazing considering it was only two years ago when she began to take distance training seriously.

“I’ve been running cross country since middle school, but it wasn’t until the summer before my sophomore year when I started to train properly,” she said. “I thought cross country was running forever and ever. I really didn’t put much thought into it until then.”

It was the summer of 2018 when she began working out with Sarah Austin, Abriyah Skull, and Janae Ramirez, members of the Wings summer club team.

“I grew a love for distance that summer,” she said. “Running with new people and getting their perspective on distance running helped. They were really devoted to cross country which gave me an appreciation for distance. Training with them, I didn’t want to feel like the slacker of the group, so I put in a little more effort.”

Lujan-Marrufo, who was already a top USATF 800-runner in her age group, began to train properly.

“I started doing the things that I was supposed to be doing,” she said. “I love cross country now. I really love it. Hearing stories about what other girls have accomplished ahead of me made me want to be a part of that history.”

At last year’s District 2-5A Championship Lujan-Marrufo was third in 20:42.54 and ended her junior cross-country season in 53rd place (19:57.30) at the Region 1-5A Championship.

“I never knew I could run as fast I am right now,” she said. “I thought I would be running low 20s or high 19s but now I know what I’m capable of with training and hard work. I want to break 18.”

She knows a sub 18 is within her reach.

“In the past, I relied too much on my talent,” she said. “Even through someone has talent, it’s not a reason why they shouldn’t work harder, and I took that personally.”

Strangely, when track competition was cancelled in the spring due to the coronavirusLujan-Marrufo did not have any hard feelings.

“I didn’t feel bad about it,” she said. “I was actually looking forward to cross country even more. But as time went on, I wasn’t really sure there was going to be a cross-country season, so I wasn’t training at all. I would go on a two-mile run and I would be so tired, I was so out of shape.”

She is looking at the season as an opportunity to showcase the work she has put in the past two years.

“I lost part of my track season my junior year and I knew this would be my last year so I had to give it my all,” she said.

She looks to her mother, Sandra Lujan, for motivation.

“She’s really into my running life,” she said. “She is the one who tells me about my competition and what other people are running. She’s a real cross country and track mom. She always has these dreams of me running in college and going pro. I just want to make her happy and proud.”

Because of COVID-19 protocols, the UIL is not allowing cross country meets to exceed six teams so many of this season’s races are small.

In two weeks, Lujan-Marrufo is scheduled to run the Vista Hills Invitational against a few of the city’s top girl’s teams including No. 2 Montwood and No. 3 Eastwood.

“That’s one meet I’m really preparing for,” she said. “I get to run against Lauren (Eastwood’s Lauren Walls-Portillo). We’re good friends, we ran on the same club team. I remember at district last year she was so far ahead of me. I always imagined being up there with her. My goal for that meet is to stay close and hopefully pass her if I have the right training. We’ll see how it goes.”

For now, Lujan-Marrufo is happy, flashing that gold medal smile after every race.

“I’ve come to learn that no matter where you are in your training, there is always room for improvement, always room to work harder,” she said. “I’m really happy with the times that I’ve been running. Just to see how far I’ve come in these three years has been amazing. I never knew that I could be doing what I am right now.”

The future is bright for Lujan-Marrufo who hopes pandemic conditions improve enough to have a spring track season.

She is keeping her college options open for now.

“I’ve been in contact with a few colleges, mostly with NMSU and Texas State,” she said. “I’m not too sure as to where I want to go. I don’t want to go too far. I’m keeping my options open. I’m just taking it slow and so what happens during track season.”

On the boy’s side of the Canutillo/Anthony Invitational, Coronado took the first three spots and four out of the top 10.

Luis Pastor picked up his second varsity win (16:47.00) followed by Corey Dubrule (17:06.18) and

Sam Breceda (17:07.90). Stephen Pitchkolan was tenth in 17:49.00.

Filling out the top 10 were – Riverside’s Andrew Valdiviezo (fourth, 17:16.0), Del Valle’s Miguel  Avila (fifth, 17:20.65),  Canutillo’s Danovan Estrada (sixth, 17:23.96), Burges’ Dylan  Walker (seventh, 17:26.78), teammate Julian Maldonado (eighth, 17:43.56) and Parkland’s Kenneth Goldstone Lamar (tenth, 17:46.52).

Desert Twilight (San Tan Valley, Ariz.)

The Eastwood boys won the high school Sweepstakes Division of the Desert Twilight XC Festival in San Tan Valley, Ariz. with 53 points and San Elizario was fourth with 162 points.

The Eastwood boys won the high school Sweepstakes Division of the Desert Twilight XC Festival in San Tan Valley, Ariz. with 53 points.

The Troopers had five runners in the top 14 lead by Sergio Leon Cuartas who was third in 15:15.53. Eastwood had runners take the 11-14 spots including Aaron Perez (11th, 15:51.02),           Isaac Mendoza (12th, 15:52.26), Victor Anchondo (13th, 15:55.35) and Victor Parra (14th, 15:57.58)          

San Elizario had two runners in the top six – Edwin Gomez, (5th, 15:36.48) and Dilan Sanchez (6th, 15:40.33).

Bel Air was 15th in the boy’s Championship Division.  William Moreno was the Highlanders top runner, finishing 30th in 17:27.16.      

Eastwood’s Lauren Walls-Portillo was 10th in the girl’s high school Sweepstakes Division finishing in 18:14.62.

The Eastwood girls placed fourth in the high school Championship race with 132 points and Bel Air was 12th with 288 points.

Amber Martin lead the Troopers, placing 13th in 20:40.65 while Bel Air’s Abagail Murillo was 23rd in 21:00.46.           

Franklin Invitational (Haskins Rec Center)

The Franklin girlstook the first seven spots in route to a perfect score (15 points).

Franklin was again led by Eva Jess (first, 18:16.91), who gave her verbal commitment to the University of Texas at Austin on Friday night.

Ally Little was second in 18:39.33, Alyssa Laspada third in 19:14.63, Jenna Saunders was fourth in 19:43.31; Jordan Torres (fifth, 19:56.30), Michele Paillard (sixth,  20:04.58) and Sofia Camacho (seventh, 20:27.05). Amanda Sotelo was ninth for Franklin (21:06.85).

Jefferson’s Crystal Peterson was eighth in 20:45.57 and teammate Monique Correa was 10th in 21:09.61.

The Foxes placed second overall with 62 points followed by Americas with 63.

On the boy’s side, Americas junior Jared Laverty won his first varsity meet, leading the Trailblazers to a team championship in 16:02.13.

Americas junior Jared Laverty won his first varsity race in 16:02.13 to led the Trailblazers to another team championship.

Americas runners took the first four spots and five of the top 8 including Michael Mier (second,  16:06.82), Aaron Saenz (third, 16:08.66), Carmelo Corral (fourth, 16:25.95) and Jesse Morales (eighth, 17:26.45).

The Trailblazers scored 18 points followed by Franklin (37) and Valle Verde (85).

Cougar runners make up the remaining five spots in the top 10 led by Rai Lopez (fifth, 16:43.41), Matthew Engle (sixth, 16:54.70), Andres Buckley (seventh, 17:14.12), Diego Flores (ninth, 17:36.02) and Octavio Trujillo (tenth, 17:41.92).

Cathedral/Loretto Invitational (Veterans Park)

A pair of sophomore runners – Tornillo’s Kylene Elias and Pebble Hills’ Omer Ibrahim – continued their early season success taking individual titles at the Cathedral/Loretto Invitational at Veterans Park.

Elias won in 20:19.07 and lead the Coyotes to a team championship with 32 points. Pebble Hills was second with 36 followed Loretto (55), Young Women’s Leadership (100) and Ysleta, (120).

Including Elias, Tornillo had four runners in the top 10 – Nat Escajeda (seventh, 21:46.43), Olivia Garcia            (eighth, 21:51.64) and Brianna Ibarra (tenth, 22:16.78).

Carolina Zarrabal (second, 20:23.25) and Natalie Franco (sixth, 21:42.67), led Pebble Hills.

Other top 10 runners were three Eastwood athletes – Victoria Ovalles (third, 20:31.75), Hannah Tellez (fifth, 21:40.42) and Monica Hagerich (ninth, 22:00.66).

Loretto senior Britney Martinez was fourth in 21:37.76.

Ibrahim won his second invitational this season turning in a 15:39.22.

The Tornillo boys won the team title with 21 points. Pebble Hills was second with 34 points and Ysleta was third with 75.

The Coyotes had four runners in the top 7 – Angel Torres (second, 16:28.74), Bryan Garcia (third, 16:45.10), Daniel Romero (fifth, 17:04.62) and Bryan Guzman (seventh, 17:19.62).

Other top 10 runners were Andress’ Jarrett Ketchmark (fourth, 16:53.88), Eastwood’s Joaquin Chavez (sixth, 17:17.31) and Anthony Casillas (eighth, 17:27.82), Pebble Hills’ Noah Castorena (ninth, 17:35.96) and Anthony Soto from Fabens (tenth, 17:37.36).

Eastlake Invitational (SAC)

Please bear with us on this one. The results were difficult to obtain and are still not confirmed. There also seems to be issues with timing and placement.

From what we were able to gather, the two individual winners were Horizon’s Andrea Villagomez (19:08:50.0) and Hanks’ Gael Alvarado (15:43.4).

Horizon’s Andrea Villagomez won the Eastlake Invitational in 19:08:50.0.

It appears the El Paso High girls won the team event with 20 points followed by Hanks (37) and Horizon (61).

El Paso High placed four girls in the top 10 – Alissa Kennedy (third, 19:55.4), Jezarae Valenzuela (fourth, 19:59.9), Shayla Cohen Jones (fifth, 20:02.8) and Vivian Shaheen (tenth, 22:15.1).    

The Knights had three in the top 10 including runner-up Mia Rivera (19:40:00.0), Madison Spencer (seventh, 20:47.0) and Jade Baca (ninth, 21:19.3).

Rounding out the top 10 were Austin’s Mora Montes (sixth, no time reported) and Horizon’s Jaquelin Gonzalez (eight, 21:17.6).

On the boy’s side, Hanks won the team title with 31 points followed by El Paso High with 39 and Horizon with 52.

The Knights place four in the top 10 – Alvarado, Alejandro Tarin (second, 15:45.2), Michael Antuna (seventh, 16:29.2) and Andres Garcia (tenth, 17:42.3).

El Paso High’s top runners were Josep Ferret (third, 15:48.4), David Ramirez (fourth, 16:04.4) and Leo Valenzuela (eighth, 17:00.8).

Rounding out the top 10 are Austin’s Jose Nilo (fifth, no time reported), and two Horizon runners Ivan Hernandez (sixth, 16:19.8) and Yahir Barrios (ninth, 17:20.1).

High School Boys XC Poll: Week 3

Every Thursday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top cross country male runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to and 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 151 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 5K/3-mile boys and girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

This week’s schedule:

Desert Twilight: 9:25 p.m. Oct. 2 in Queen Creek, Ariz. Eastwood, Bel Air, San Elizario.

Eastlake Invitational: 8 a.m., Oct. 3 at the Socorro Student Activities Complex. Eastlake, Socorro, Horizon, Hanks, El Paso, Austin.

Franklin Invitational: 8 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Haskins Recreation Center. Franklin, Mt. View, Valle Verde, Montwood, El Dorado, Americas, Jefferson, Pebble Hills.

Cathedral/Loretto Invitational: 8 a.m. Oct. 3 at Veterans Park. Cathedral, Fabens, Andress, Bowie, YWLA, Ysleta, Tornillo, Eastwood.

Canutillo/Anthony Invitational: 8 a.m. Oct. 3 at Canutillo Middle School. Canutillo, Anthony, Riverside, Burges, Clint, Parkland, Del Valle, Coronado.

Franklin won its first team championship of the season last week at Mt. View High School. The Cougars will race at its own invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center on Saturday.

Top 10

1. Eastwood: The Troopers rested its top five runners and still won the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational at Tornillo High School with 28 points. Eastwood placed its five scoring runners in the top 10 led by Victor Anchondo (third, 16:48.55), Nick Parra (fourth, 16:49.19), Devon Paez (fifth, 16:52.33), Andres Gurrola (sixth, 16:57.09) and Joaquin Chavez (17:51.07). The team will race in the Sweepstakes Division of the 13th annual Desert Twilight Cross Country Meet in Queen Creek, Ariz. on Friday night.

2. Americas: The Trailblazers won the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at SISD’s Student Activities Complex with 23 points.  Americas placed runners in the first four spots led by Carmelo Corral who picked up his second straight meet victory in 17:13.37. Jared Laverty was second in 17:44.75, Michael Mier was third in 17:50.77 and Aaron Saenz was fourth (18:18.00). The team will compete in the Franklin Invitational at the Haskins Recreation Center.

3. Coronado: The T-Birds who placed three runners in the 2-3-5-6 spots to win the team championship at their own invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center with 29 points.  Luis Pastor was second in 16:41.71 followed by teammates Corey Dubrule (third, 16:52.53), Sam Breceda (fifth, 17:04.59) and Stephen Pitchkolan (sixth, 17:31.10). Coronado will race at Canutillo/Anthony Invitational at Canutillo Middle School on Saturday.

4. San Elizario: Senior Edwin Gomez won his first race of the season at Tornillo High School completing the desert course in 16:26.23 to lead the Eagles to a second-place finish behind Eastwood at Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational. Two of Gomez’s teammates – senior Dilan Sanchez (second, 16:42.51) and sophomore Chris Moreno (seventh, 17:24.61) – finished in the top 10. San Elizario will travel to Queen Creek, Ariz. to race at the 13th annual Desert Twilight Cross Country Meet on Friday night.

5. Franklin: After a slow start to the season, the Cougars took care of business at the Clint ISD Invitational at Mt. View High School winning the event with 25 points. The Cougars place five in the top 10 led by Octavio Trujillo (20:15.62) and Diego Flores (20:29.03) who finished third and fourth. Three other Franklin runners finished 6-8 – Rai Lopez (21:18.53), Matthew Engle (21:40.94) and Austen Percifull (21:46.42). Franklin will race at its own invitational at the Don Haskins Center on Saturday.

6. Tornillo: The Coyotes, placed two runners – sophomore Angel Torres (eighth, 17:27.96) and junior Bryan Garcia (ninth, 17:30.50) – in the top 10 to finish third with 69 points at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational. Tornillo will run at the Cathedral/Loretto Invitational at Veterans Park

7. Burges: The Mustangs won the Parkland/Hanks Invitational at Northeast Regional Park scoring 32 points. David Herrera was third in 16:36.13 to pace Burges who had four runners in the top 10 – Dylan Walker (eighth, 16:53.31), Julian Maldonado (ninth, 16:56.77) and David Gonzalez (tenth, 17:15.18). The Mustangs stop will be Canutillo/Anthony Invitational at Canutillo Middle School on Saturday.

8. Cathedral: The Fighting Irish ran to a second-place finish at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at the SAC. Cathedral scored 39 points with four runners in the top 10 – Luis Gomez (fifth,  18:21.49) Elijah  Noble (sixth, 19:29.13), Bernard Martinez (seventh, 19:53.52) and Jacob  Noble (ninth, 20:09.25).  Cathedral will race its own meet at Veterans Park on Saturday. 

9. Eastlake: Junior Isreal David ran his win streak to three taking the gold at the Coronado Invitational at the Haskins Recreation Center (15:40.96) and leading his team to the runner-up position behind Coronado. Mario Elias was ninth in 18:11.52 and Angel Recio Martinez was tenth in 18:19.48. The Falcons will compete at their own invitational Saturday at Socorro Student Activities Complex.

10. Hanks: The Knights finished second at the Parkland/Hanks Invitational at Northeast Regional Park, scoring 40 points, eight behind Burges. Top runners for the Knights were Andrew Alvarado (fourth, 16:36.48) and Alejandro Tarin (sixth, 16:46.21). Hanks will race at the Eastlake Invitational Saturday at Socorro Student Activities Complex.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Riverside, El Paso, Pebble Hills, Bel Air.

Austin senior Jose Nilo owns the city’s 10th fastest time this season, turning in a 16:01.71 at Veterans Park on Sept. 19.

Top times (5K/3Miile)

1, Carmelo Corral, Americas, 15:15.03 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

2, Sergio Leon Cuartas, Eastwood, 15:29.43 (Del Valle, 9/19).

3, Nathan Hernandez, Eastwood, 15:38.58 (Del Valle, 9/19).

4, Israel David, Eastlake, 15:40.62 (La Isla Park, 9/19).

5, Isaac Mendoza, Eastwood, 15:40.73 (Del Valle, 9/19).

6, Edwin Gomez, San Elizario, 15:41.04 (Del Valle, 9/19).

7, Jared Laverty, Americas, 15:41.15 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

8, Aaron Perez, Eastwood, 15:46.55 (Del Valle, 9/19).

9, Aaron Saenz, Americas, 15:56.91 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

10, Jose Nilo, Austin, 16:01.71 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

11, Joaquin Ortega, Chapin, 16:03.17 (Northeast Regional Park, 9/26).

12, Michael Mier, Americas, 16:04.08 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

13, Victor Parra, Eastwood, 16:10.22 (Del Valle, 9/19).

14, Nick Parra, Eastwood, 16:15.42 (Del Valle, 9/19).

15, Dilan Sanchez, San Elizario, 16:16.49 (Del Valle, 9/19).

16, Devon Paez, Eastwood, 16:17.57 (Del Valle, 9/19).

17, Victor Anchondo, Eastwood, 16:22.04 (Del Valle, 9/19).

18, Andres Gurrola, Eastwood, 16:22.99 (Del Valle, 9/19).

19, Andrew Valdiviezo, Riverside, 16:30.54 (Northeast Regional Park, 9/26).

20, Gage Garcia, Americas, 16:33.48 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

21, David Herrera, Burges, 16:36.13 (Northeast Regional Park, 9/26).

22, Andrew Alvarado, Hanks, 16:36.48 (Northeast Regional Park, 9/26).

23, Denovan Estrada, Canutillo, 16:38.88 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

24, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 16:41.71 (Haskins Rec. Center, 9/26).

25, Kenneth Lamar Golston, Parkland, 16:45.92 (Northeast Regional Park, 9/26).

Bryan Garcia has led a strong Tornillo team this season. The Coyotes are the top ranked Class 3A team in the state.

Power rankings
(number in parenthesis indicate meets won)

1, Israel David, Eastlake, 30 (3).

2, Carmelo Corral, Americas, 25 (2).

2, Joaquin Ortega, Chapin, 25 (2).

4, Edwin Gomez, San Elizario, 21 (1).

4, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 21 (1).

4, Jared Laverty, Americas, 21.

4, Luis Gomez, Cathedral, 21.

8, Bryan Garcia, Tornillo, 19.

8, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 19 (1).

8, Andrew Valdiviezo, Riverside, 19 (1).

Angel Torres, Tornillo, 18

Nathan Hernandez, Eastwood, 17.

Isaac Mendoza, Eastwood, 17.

Sergio Leon Cuartas, Eastwood, 16 (1).

Corey Dubrule, Coronado, 16.

Aaron Saenz, Americas, 15.

Michael Mier, Americas, 14.

Aaron Perez, Eastwood, 13.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 13.

Sam Breceda, Coronado, 13.

Kenneth Lamar Golston, Parkland, 13.

Dilan Sanchez, San Elizario, 12.

Nick Parra, Eastwood, 11.

Venancio Claderon, El Dorado, 11.

Stephen Pitchkolan, Coronado, 11. 

Dylan Walker, Burges, 10.

Jorge Garcia, Socorro, 10.

Victor Anchondo, Eastwood, 10.

Ivan Hernandez, Horizon, 10.

Diego Flores, Franklin, 10.            

David Herrera Burges, 9.

Matthew Engle, Franklin, 9.  

Miguel Avila, Del Valle, 8.

Octavio Trujillo, Franklin, 8.

Devon Paez, Eastwood, 8.

Jose Nilo , Austin, 7.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 7.    

Josep Ferret, El Paso, 7. 

David Ramirez, El Paso, 7.

Andrew Alvarado, Hanks, 7.

Denovan Estrada, Canutillo, 7.

David Ortega, Socorro, 6.

Aden Hodgson, El Dorado, 6.

Andres Gurrola, Eastwood, 5.

Victor Parra, Eastwood, 5.

Luis Holguin, Burges, 5.

Rai Lopez, Franklin, 5.

Bernard Martinez, Cathedral, 5.

Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 5.

Julian Maldonado, Burges, 5

William Moreno, Bel Air, 4.

Gage Garcia, Americas, 4.

Andres Buckley, Franklin, 4.     

Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 4.   

Jarrett Ketchmark, Andress, 4.

Juan Uribe, Socorro, 3.

Dylan Lorilla, Cathedral, 3.

Austen Percifull, Franklin, 3.

Trenton Nelson, Montwood, 3. 

Jesse Morales, Americas, 2.

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson, 2.

Marcos Garcia, Cathedral, 2.

Roberto Rivas, Franklin, 2.

Mario Elias, Eastlake, 2.             

Eric Lopez, Riverside, 1.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 1

Mathew Estrada, Socorro, 1.

Angel Recio Martinez, Eastlake, 1.

David Gonzalez, Burges, 1.

Joshua Gonzalez, Mt. View, 1.