FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team won its second consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section title, winning the Division II title Saturday at Willow Hills Reservoir.
"It is another box checked off for us," said Head Coach Aaron Rios. "We had some goals in the summer and this was one of them to win the section. Today they ran more as a team and with state upcoming that is huge motivation for us."
Senior Sydney Vandegrift, who signed to run at Cal on Wednesday, finished second overall in 18:33 to lead the Troubadours.
"I am so excited for us to win sections," said Vandegrift. "I am really proud of our team and the girls that stepped up today and that is the reason we placed first."
St. Francis scored 53 points to defeat Vacaville (75) and Rocklin (82) with all three earning berths to the CIF State Championship meet. It is the 11th section title and sixth consecutive state championship berth for St. Francis.
"Sydney was just a second off her PR and we both talked about St. Francis finishing strong at the end," said Rios. "Hopefully at states she will have her best race."
Junior Sophie DeBenedetti was ninth overall for the Troubies in 19:33 with teammate Haley Silva in 10th in 19:39. Senior Alana Reyna was the fourth finisher in 19th in 20:24.
"I felt pretty good and I knew I just had to keep moving up," said Reyna. "I had to step up for them. I was not physically feeling the best but I had to put that aside to do what is best for the team."
Reyna was one of six runners that improved their times from last season and one of four that has personal-bests on the hilly course.
"Alana stepped up huge," said Rios. "She has been running well at practice for the last few weeks and today it showed she has it in her to be one of the top five girls."
Freshman Hanna Hekkanen was fifth across the line in 20:31. Sophomore Emma Hollenbach and senior Erica Cradeur finished in 20:31 and 20:55, respectively.
The St. Francis Junior Varsity team was fourth overall in the combined Division 1-5 race and the top finisher in out of Division II.
Senior Teresa Lee ran a personal-best to lead the team with her fourth-place finish.
"I went into the feeling positive and all my teammates were there," said Lee.
The Troubadours scored 87 points and finished behind only Davis (43), Vista del Lago (54) and Woodcreek (54).
"It was a good race and it all came together," said Lourim, who finished 11th overall. "It turned out good with a good finish to the season."
The Frosh/Soph team was second overall in the final race for the program on the day. Nicole McBride led the team with a ninth-place finish.
