ASTI — Breaking up a string of Willits and Sonoma Academy jerseys crossing the finish line, Clear Lake High School”s Tyler Hayes not only cracked the top 10 but finished sixth on Wednesday during a four-team Coastal Mountain Conference cross country meet at Asti Winery near Cloverdale.
“It was a good race for him,” Clear Lake coach Peter Stanley said of Hayes, who completed the 3-mile course, one consisting of rolling hills, in 19 minutes, 4 seconds.
Kenny Smith of Willits dominated the field in 17:03. Teammate Justin Mehtlan was the next fastest at 18:08.
Shy Savok had the top Lower Lake time at 21:30 and Clear Lake”s Zane Butler was 13th overall at 21:37.
Stanley also commended the effort of Clear Lake”s Keith Todd, who was 17th in 21:43.
“He ran the race of the day,” Stanley said. “He used to be our sixth runner, but he”s moving up.”
Varsity girls
Cloverdale dominated the varsity girls” race and Crystal Orozco of the Eagles was the first to finish in 23:05.
No Lake County runners were in the top 10. The first to finish was Clear Lake”s Tayler Whipple, who was 16th in 27:43. Kate Lyons of Lower Lake was 17th in 27:55 and her teammate, Monica Torrey, was just a second back in 18th place (27:56).
“Tayler ran a solid race,” said Stanley, who also was pleased with the 22nd-place finish of Rebecca Combs. “Combs has moved up to our No. 2 runner and she has improved every race.”
Clear Lake and Lower Lake compete next Wednesday in St. Helena.
