Toro Park Provides Home Win for Villegas

Just before the Panthers hit the road for the Mt. SAC Invitational, they enjoyed running on familiar ground at the Toro Park Invitational just five miles from Hartnell College's main campus. With family and friends in attendance, the Panthers enjoyed an overall winner and a solid second place team finish Norcal top ranked Clovis Community College. 

Andrea Villegas continued her streak of victories and performances in the 18 minutes. Villegas started the 3 mile course aggressively and never looked back until she crossed the finish line in 18:46. She finished 1:28 ahead of Julia Martinez of Clovis Community College, who placed second to Villegas at the Norcal Preview Meet. Villegas moves to third fastest all-time at Toro Park for Hartnell College trailing only Malena Grover (18:01) and Kathy Lenno (18:26). Without a loss this season, Villegas heads to Mt. SAC as the top runner in Northern California. Hartnell College has never had an individual win the illustrious invitational but Villegas appears ready for the challenge. In between Villegas and Martinez, Roselyn Olivo ran a terrific race to place second overall. Olivo covered the Toro Park course in a 35 second personal best and nearly broke 20 minutes for the first time despite 93 degree weather at race time. She was clocked in 20:05, nine seconds ahead of Martinez. The due of Villegas and Olivo give the Panthers a potential 1-2 threat at the Coast Conference and Northern California Championship. 

Greenfield pair Jimena Hernandez (22:30) and Maria Garcia (22:56) placed 20th and 23rd overall. Freshman Isabelle Rocha (23:56) found herself inside the top five for the Panthers all season in 35th overall. Alexandra Campos (24:04) and Dominique Cervantes-Samudio (24:25) finished out the top 7. 

The Panthers will head south to the "Biggest Cross Country Invitational on the Planet" once again to compete in the Mt. SAC Invitational. The women will race on Friday, October 13th at 10:00am. The Hartnell College women are ranked second in Northern California. 

Hartnell Results:

1. Andrea Villegas 18:46
2. Roselyn Olivo 20:05
20. Jimena Hernandez 22:30
23. Maria Garcia 22:56
35. Isabelle Rocha 23:56
38. Alexandra Campos 24:04
42. Dominique Cervantes-Samudio 24:25
43. Lapis Hernandez 24:29
45. Isabella Rocha 24:35
48. Angelina Ybarra 25:00