Aztecs get their kicks at Mustang Invitational

CHULA VISTA -- With six of the team’s top seven returners doubling as soccer players, conditioning will not be a factor for the Montgomery High boys cross country team this season. That much was displayed at last Friday’s Mustang Phair Company Invitational as the Aztecs captured first place finishes in both the varsity and junior varsity large schools races.

The runners in question are Sergio Bojorquez, Jonathan Alcala, Christopher Kaeg, Eric Delgado, Christian Vasquez and Gary Hodgson.

At right: a Montgomery runner challenges Bonita Vista's Abraham Alvarez for a top 10 finish.

varsity race, timing 17:49 and 17:53, respectively. Following them were Delgado (18th, 18:10), Bojorquez (23rd, 18:21) and Sal Acosta (27th, 18:31) to round out the team’s top five scorers. Overall, the Aztecs placed their five scorers among the top 27 runners, including three with impressive top 18 finishes. A total of 75 runners completed the race.

The invitational title was the first for the team in the 11-year coaching stint of Ruben Ledesma. “We’re pretty pleased, especially since we were in the large schools division,” he said.

Montgomery totaled a division-low 92 points to edge Grossmont Conference South League power Monte Vista by three points and topped 2003 state meet qualifier University City (second at last year’s Division II section finals) by 27 points.

Defending Mesa League champion Bonita Vista finished in sixth place after its top runner, sophomore Eric Avila, was disqualified for an unintentional course violation. Had Avila (who originally finished third overall behind University City’s Riley Booker and Sweetwater’s Azael Gomez) not been disqualified, the Barons would have finished in third place – five points behind the Aztecs.

Regardless, both Montgomery coaches, Ruben Ledesma and Juan Gonzalez (who also coaches the school’s boys soccer team) sported smiles before the boys varsity race.

"We’re going to be very competitive, very focused," Gonzalez said.

Said Ledesma: “Hopefully, we can keep it going. It could be an interesting season.”

Tania Andrade (ninth, 14:55) and Heather Voigt (10th, 14:55) led Eastlake across the finish line in the 2.2-mile girls varsity race. Daphnee Dion, Jenny Arriola, Jemiane Bautista, Audrey L’Esperance and Victoria Morales followed their lead.

New coach Joe Stubbs said he was particularly pleased by the performance of the girls team. "We had three varsity girls who didn’t run because of other school commitments. With three JV girls in the lineup, they really came through," Stubbs said.

Stubbs also made a point to send accolades the boys team way. Rounding out the team’s top seven finishers were Alex Oleata, Steve Clark, Eric Fujiokawa, Che Nevarez, Jeff Welch and Danny Riley.

Sist, who was plagued by injuries last season, appears to be back in proper working order.

"For many of the guys, it was their first race in cross country. You always need to get one under your belt," Stubbs said. "They ran a quality race, improved from last year."

While the Titan coach said strides appear to have been made in the early going, much yet needs to be done to bridge the gap with the rest of the teams in the Mesa League.

"I think we had a decent first meet. I think we’ll end up even better in the next few races," said Otay Ranch head coach Ian Cumming, who also served as the race director. "I thought Eastlake had a very good effort as did Montgomery. I expect us to run better in the future. But overall, I’m happy."

The Mustangs boys team, which advanced to the state championship meet as the second-place team in the Division IV San Diego Section finals last season, moves up to the Division III level this season. The defending South Bay League champions appear to have taken on the challenge of competing against schools with potentially deeper talent pools with a serious resolve.

"Our goal is still to qualify to go to state in Division III. We’re moving up but we still think we can be competitive," team co-captain Ernesto Valdez said. "We have our whole varsity team returning, plus we have new people who can only help us."

"We’re working hard to win CIF," co-captain Matt Danielson interjected.

"If not this year, next year. It will be a goal for the team from here on out," Valdez added.

Valdez was the boys varsity team’s top finisher, placing 13^th in 17:59. Following him in order across the finish line were Ricky Pimentel (27^th, 18:26), Ryan Matias (36^th, 18:49), Danielson (37^th, 18:55), Ivan Dallet (43^rd, 19:04), Jesse Matias (45^th, 19:06) and Mike Denmen (47^th, 19:15).

Top girls varsity runners included Jazmine Schoonmaker (13^th, 15:40), Natalie Dygert (26^th, 16:23) and Jennifer Amos (33^rd, 17:03).

Pt. Loma’s Dustin Fiero (13:02) won the individual title in the boys JV Silver Division while Scripps Ranch’s Mandy Beatty (13:28) captured top honors in the girls varsity Blue Division race for the second consecutive year.

Eastlake's Anthony Haw finished third in the boys JV Blue Division race, covering the course in 12:58.