ROCKLIN, Calif. – Junior Noelle Lynch took the junior varsity race and freshman Cate Joaquin crossed first in the Frosh/Soph race to lead the St. Francis cross country program to a strong day at the Bella Vista Bronco Invitational at Johnson Springview Park.
"Overall it was a strong week for everybody," said Rios. "We took second in every division. It was a nice test after two big meets and we were training through this week. It was another confidence and team builder as we work towards league finals."
The Troubadours finished second overall in all three races. In the varsity race, Buchanan took the team title with 44 points with SF in second with 66. Junior Isabella Fauria was third overall in 18:42, while junior Haley Silva finished sixth (19:07). Senior Sophie DeBenedetti placed 10th overall (19:31).
In the JV race, Lynch won in a time of 20:28 for her first career win and sixth top-10 finish. She was followed by classmate Grace Rogers (21:07) in second, equaling her career best finish. Cassidy Lourim finished in 10th (22:18). The team was second with 38 points to Davis (33).
"It was a big step for Noelle and she really wanted to make an impact for the team," said Rios. "It was nice to have two St. Francis girls coming 1-2."
In the frosh/soph race, Joaquin crossed first for the 2.1 mile distance with the top five all among the top 25. It was the second win of the season for Joaquin and her fifth top 10 of the season.
"It was a big time for her to win it," said Rios. "It was a fun meet for her to run and to not have the pressures of varsity and run with her classmates".
Tatiana Cornejo was fourth (13:50) overall and Emily Castles was 11th in 14:44.
St. Francis runs the Flat Sac race next Saturday at Gibson Ranch.
Bella Vista Bronco Cross Country Invite
Girls 5k Run Varsity Large - Team Results (Top 5)
1. Buchanan 44; 2. St. Francis 66; 3. Foothill (Palo Cedro) 76; 4. Mills 186; 5. Damonte Ranch 186.
St. Francis Varsity Individual Results
3. Isabella Fauria, 18:42; 67; 6. Haley Silva 19:07; 10. Sophie DeBenedetti 19:31; 13. Hanna Hekkanen 19:44; 44. Audrey Reyes 20:34; 51. Grace Harrison 21:15.
Girls 5k Run Junior Varsity - Team Results (Top 5)
1. Davis 33; 2. St. Francis 38; 3. Vista del Lago 86; 4. Sheldon 115; 5. Del Oro 122.
St. Francis Junior Varsity Individual Results
1. Noelle Lynch 20:28; 2. Grace Rogers, 21:07; 10. Cassidy Lourim, 22:18; 11. Bridgette Kemp, 22:18; 18. Meg Casale 23:05; 50. Skylar Strawn, 25:22; 60. Meghan Ladd, 27:12; 68. Juliana Venegas, 28:27; 69. Bella Silva, 28:28; 75. Alyssa Appel, 29:39.
3700 Meters Frosh/Soph Large – Team Results (Top 5)
1. Buchanan 30; 2. St. Francis 55; 3. Bella Vista, 120; 4. Oak Ridge, 125; 5. Lincoln, 156.
St. Francis Frosh/Soph Individual Results (Top 7)
1. Cate Joaquin, 13:22; 4. Tatiana Cornejo, 13:50; 11. Emily Castles, 14:44; 15. Claire Silva, 15:00; 25. Nora Smith, 15:26; 26. McKenna McKrell, 15:26; 27. Peyton Carson, 15:26.
