FORT BRAGG — Skyler Thomas of Mendocino beat Clear Lake”s Tyler Hayes to the finish line on Wednesday during a five-team Coastal Mountain Conference cross country meet at the 2.9-mile Bald Hill course in Fort Bragg.
Thomas, the only runner representing Mendocino High School, won the varsity boys” race in 19 minutes, 45 seconds to Hayes” 20:09.
Kelseyville”s Eduardo Ledesma came in third at 20:17 and Clear Lake”s Leif Tisell ran fifth in 22:59, just five seconds ahead of Kelseyville”s Connor Sullivan (23:04).
“He”s moved into our No. 2 slot (behind Hayes),” Clear Lake coach Peter Stanley said.
Kelseyville edged out Clear Lake in head-to-head scoring 25-30 and Fort Bragg beat Lower Lake 16-39.
Cameron Dudding was Lower Lake”s top finisher as he placed 13th in 24:27.
In the varsity girls” race, Clear Lake had the only complete team and was led by Tayler Whipple, who was fifth overall in 27:26.
Anna Leyonhufrud of Fort Bragg topped the field in 26:39, but each of the next six runners to cross the finish line came from Lake County. Paz Lozano of Kelseyville was second (27:05), Kate Lyons of Lower Lake was third (27:09), Arielle Lehmer of Kelseyville was fourth (27:23), Kylie Olson of Kelseyville was sixth (28:21) and Charnee Vincent of Clear Lake was seventh (29:42).
“She”s moving up nicely and doing well,” Stanley said of Vincent, who has taken over the team”s No. 2 slot.
In the junior varsity boys” division, Clear Lake not only had the only complete team, but each of the top three finishers. Josh Blair led the way in 24:47, Erik Hagberg was second in 25:07 and Brandon Holt took third in 25:19.
“The JV boys were actually my highlight of the day,” Stanley said of the Cardinals” strong showing. “It”s the first time Josh has beaten out Eric for first. He just ran a great race.”
