LAKEPORT — Kelsie Lawson and Chloe Rojas led the way on Wednesday as the Clear Lake High School girls” cross country team improved to 4-0 with a win over an incomplete Willits team during a four-team Coastal Mountain Conference meet at Highlands Springs.
Lawson finished third overall in 25 minutes, 59 seconds. Ali Van Zandt of Rincon Valley Christian came in first (25:29) and Katie Carlsen of St. Vincent was second (25:39). Rojas was fourth in 26:36 and another Clear Lake runner, Andreina Guedez (27:10) rounded out the top five.
“Those two have back and forth for us,” Clear Lake coach Peter Stanley said of Lawson and Rojas, who have taken turns as the Cardinals” Nos. 1-2 runners this season. “They”re fun to watch.”
Clear Lake”s girls improved to 4-0 in the CMC standings.
“I”m hoping we”re going to be one of the top three teams in the CMC,” Stanley said.
Crystal Wilcox anchored a strong Clear Lake effort with a ninth-place time of 31:32.
“It was a great race for Crystal,” Stanley said.
Varsity boys
Valle Rogers of Willits won the varsity boy”s race in 18:46, beating out Rincon Valley Christian”s Evan LaBruzzo (18:58).
Matt Gatton led Clear Lake with a ninth-place time of 22:29. The Cardinals” next four finishers all ran together, placing 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th. They were Mike Bradley (22:52), Erik Hagberg (22:53), Brice Beare (23:13) and Andy Garzoli (23:20).
Willits beat Clear Lake 15-49 in head-to-head scoring.
JV boys
Jon Montez of Willits won the JV boys” race in 23:49.
For Clear Lake, Cody Scully led the way with a fourth-place time of 25:14, but close behind him was Brandon Disney in fifth at 25:19.
“I think it was his best race of the season,” Stanley said. “He had a big smile.”
