Bullard, Sanger runners tie or break personal bests at CMAC cross country meet, eye sections

Some things change. Some things remain constant when it comes to cross country.

For example:

–Bullard High sophomore Isabella Ramírez pockets personal bests almost every time she runs.

–Sanger High senior Daniel Galvez equaled his Woodward Park 5-kilometer record … from two years ago.

–And, it has become normal for the Sanger girls and boys cross country teams coached by Sean Marzolf to dominate the CMAC conference championship.

Ramírez wanted to break 19 minutes at Wednesday morning’s CMAC girls championship, and she did with an 18:56.7, but Sanger runners followed immediately behind her to win the team title.

Galvez met his goal of matching his personal best of 15:54.1. He posted that time as a sophomore, but a hip injury kept him out most of last season before getting healthy this year.

The Sanger boys won the CMAC title for the fourth time in five years. It was the fourth consecutive conference title for the Sanger girls, who were led by junior Alexa Vaca’s second-place finish (19:15.1, a personal best).

Bullard sophomore hold off Sanger challengers

Ramírez, who took up distance running at her father’s suggestion, ran side by side with Vaca for the first mile before eventually pulling away.

“I wanted to get sub-19,” said Ramírez, who averaged a 6:07 mile. “I’ve gotten a PR like basically every race.”

She wants to place in the top five at the Division II section meet next Thursday (Nov. 16) on the same course. Ramírez believes she can get to 18:40 this season.

Marzolf praised Vaca’s consistency during the season.

“She’s been working extremely hard, and she’s been getting some great workouts in, and great races,” said Marzolf about Vaca. “I think this is a lifetime best by like 20 seconds or so.”

Marzolf said Ramírez provided a tough opponent.

“Coming in, we knew it was going to be a fast race, which was good,” he said. “Kudos to (Ramírez) for having a great season as well.”

Vaca was followed by sophomore Kinsley Allan (19:37.5) and junior Zowie Hernández (20:11.3) to help Sanger win the team title, 28 to Edison High’s 43. Bullard was third with 58 points.

Sanger was moved to Division I where the Clovis school district schools pose tough competition. Marzolf believes Sanger can compete.

“We’re still hoping we have an outside shot of those top three teams. I think that third spot is still kind of up for grabs,” said Marzolf. “Top three would be a good goal as a team.”

He thinks Sanger can qualify some individuals for the state meet, which is Nov. 25 at Woodward Park.

Galvez proves his speed is back

The Sanger senior ran the first mile in 4:51 and cruised to a 16-second victory margin in the boys race.

“It’s kind of been a while since I’ve run that fast,” said Galvez, one of six Sanger runners who finished in the top 10. He had a broken toe when he ran that time as a sophomore.

Galvez ran side-by-side with junior teammate Sawyer Pugliese.

“We’ve been crushing it here at Woodward,” said Galvez, who broke away after the second mile. Pugliese finished in 16:10.6. “I knew I could make a big push, and that was where I felt I was in the most control.”

Galvez looks forward to competing against Clovis runners in the Division I section meet. “They’re wonderful people, and they definitely push me to be the best athlete I can be,” he said.

Marzolf said Galvez is worthy of winning the league title.

“He’s starting to close a lot better that last mile,” he said of the senior.

As for his outlook at the section meet, Marzolf thinks a third-place team finish is possible “if we put together a solid race and run some lifetime bests.”

Other conference meets

Matilda Torres High sophomore Benjamín Fernández took first in the North Yosemite League championship in 15:44.1, and the Toros swept the top four places to win the team title in races held earlier on Wednesday at Woodward Park.

Matilda Torres totaled 18 points to outpace neighbor Madera High (59 points).

Madera South junior Valorie Jiménez won the girls race in 18:48.2 to help the Stallion girls capture the team title, 26-57 over Matilda Torres.

In the East Yosemite League meet at Golden West High School in Visalia, El Diamante senior Devin Ibarra took first in 15:14.1 while Monache captured the team title, 35-49 over Redwood.

In the EYL girls division, El Diamante sophomore Brooklyn Bawanan won in 18:42. Monache won the team title.

This story was originally published November 9, 2023 at 6:02 AM.