Panther Women Take Second at Norcals

Having been ranked second in Northern California for nearly the entire season, the Hartnell College women improved on last year's fourth place team finish with a second place in 2023. With three runners with previous championship experience, the Panthers tallied 62 points to finish just 20 points from the top spot and a comfortable 63 points on local rival third place Monterey Peninsula College. 

Sophomore Andrea Villegas maintained her unbeaten streak this season covering the Hidden Valley Park course in 18:20. Although it was 9 seconds slower than her performance back on September 22 at the preview meet, she becomes Hartnell College's second ever individual champion. She was also ninth in her first Norcal Championship in 2021 and improves to the overall winner to become a two-time all-region recepient. Behind Villegas appears to be her successor and teammate Roselyn Olivo. Olivo, a freshman, powered away from two strong runners from Clovis to take runner-up honors in 18:38. Olivo will be the top returner in 2024 when Hartnell College plays host for the Northern California Championship. Fellow froshJimena Hernandez finished in 20th (20:20). freshman Alexandra Campos (20:48) and sophomore Maria Garcia (20:48) finished 26th and 27th to complete the team scoring. Freshman Dominique Cervantes-Samudio improved on her early season performance to place 37th in 21:33. Lapis Hernandez, a sophomore member of last year's fourth place team, 48th in 22:18. 

The Panthers will head into the 3C2A State Championship at Woodward Park in Fresno, CA with a great chance to place in the top 6 overall and Villegas and Olivo will chase All-American honors. Villegas was the early season winner of the State Preview Meet but has not been challenged within 18 seconds all season. She will face Sophia Godina of Ventura College and Alexis Noble of San Diego Mesa College as her main competition from the South.