Camacho and Ochoa Lead at Norcal Preview

Coming off three consecutive Northern California titles, the Hartnell College women's team is down to just two runners who were on last year's squad. With five new runners, the team is looking to continue to place inside the top 3 at the Northern California Regional Championship this fall. If the Panther women can place inside the top 3 in November, they will move to just within one top 3 finish of tying American River College as the most consistent women's cross country program in the region. 

Sophomores Sofia Camacho and Ashley Ochoa were members of last fall's Northern California title and assume the leadership roles for this year's squad. The pair paced off regional favorite Hannah Hartwell through the first half of the course at Rohner Park in Fortuna last Saturday. Ochoa is looking to move up the conference and region in her final season and overtook conference rival Serena Geis of DeAnza College on this challenging course to place third overall. Camacho, who was last year's regional champion, placed an easy second just five seconds ahead of Ochoa. Freshman Maria Garcia of Greenfield leads a foursome of freshmen with her 26th place finish. Ilianna Martinez along with fellow former Alvarez High School teammates Lapis Hernandez and Jade Pimentel placed 29th, 36th, and 40th. Freshman Ana Martinez of Alisal High School rounded out the top seven. The Panthers scored 59 points, just two points from finishing second and six points from finishing in the top spot. State Meet Preview winner Clovis Community College was not present but Hartnell looks poised to contend for a top 3 finish as the team continues to round into shape. 

The Panthers will return to Rohner Park, Fortuna on Saturday, November 5th, 2022 for the Northern California Championship.