It was far more than a stroll or casual run through San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park Saturday morning for the Sonoma Valley High School boys and girls’ varsity cross-country teams – it was a pair of flat-out competitive races.
Both Sonoma squads raced in the Lowell Invitational on the 2.93-mile Golden Gate Park course, with two Dragon runners earning medals.
In a field of 22 complete girls’ teams and 148 total runners, the Lady Dragons claimed an overall 13th place, led by junior Maddy Libbey’s 11th overall-place finish in 19 minutes, 10 seconds and took home a medal.
Also running for the Sonoma girls were sophomore Grace Cutting’s 53rd overall in 21:01; sophomore Crystal Rodriguez’s 92nd in 22:30; freshman Helena Goodman’s 99th in 22:34; and sophomore Maddie Cashel’s 105th in 22:54.
The Dragon boys competed in a field of 177 runners forming 24 complete teams and ended up in 17th place, led by junior Travis Claeys, who finished 33rd overall in 16:19, which was good enough for a medal.
Also pacing the Sonoma’s boys were senior Ian Sloop’s 78th overall finish in 17:16; junior Leo Macedonio’s 89th in 17:33; sophomore Angel Barcenas’ 114th in 18:18, senior Return Bongiovanni’s 116th in 18:23; junior Pablo Cruz’s 127th in 18:47; and sophomore Campbell Martin’s 138th in 19:12.
The Dragon cross country teams will host Windsor in nonleague dual meets at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 24, on the 2.7-mile Maxwell Farms Regional Park course.
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Coming off last Thursday’s bye after a Sonoma County League season-opening win on Tuesday, the three-time defending champion Sonoma varsity volleyball girls will face two longtime SCL rivals this week.
The Lady Dragons travel to Forestville tonight for a clash with El Molino, before hosting Analy in a 7 p.m. battle Thursday, Sept. 25, at Pfeiffer Gym.
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Sonoma’s varsity boys and girls’ water polo squads travel to San Rafael today for a Marin County Athletic League showdown with Marin Academy.
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