Aaron Alarcon was a model of consistency while starring on Ceres High’s varsity boys cross country team during the 2018 Western Athletic Conference dual season.

The fourth-year runner claimed a fifth-place medal at the WAC Championships on Oct. 24 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

Alarcon completed the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 01 second.

“I couldn’t ask more from him,” Bulldogs’ head coach Katie Thiele said. “He’s a great leader. He works hard every single day. His teammates respect and look up to him.”

Ceres High amassed 89 points on their way to a fourth-place finish in the team standings.

The Bulldogs bested Grace Davis (1310, Los Banos (184) and Johansen (184).

Pacheco (37) won the team title.

Beyer (410) and Lathrop (67) were second and third.

Ceres High’s top-five runners were Alarcon, Luis Yepez, Fernando Cardoza, Bryan Erenas and Jacob Cardoza.

A newcomer to the sport of cross country, Luis was awarded a seventh-place medal. He posted a time of 18:20.

“He’s definitely exceeded my expectations,” Thiele said. “They (Yepez and Alarcon) helped each other become better runners.’

Fernando (19:51), Bryan (20:08) and Jacob (21:07) took 20th, 24th and 33rd, respectively.

Bulldog teammates Simranjit Mann (36th, 21:21), Miguel Prado (37th, 21:21), Daniel Yepez (38th, 21:26), Joshua Dominguez (39th, 21:28), David Aguilar (41st, 21:35), Alejandro Carrasco (54th, 23:26), Alfredo Rojas  Moreno (56th, 23:33), Brian Estrada (58th, 23:41), Jose Elizalde (60th, 23:50), Daniel Arendt (66th, 24:40), Sameed Kalhoon (69th, 25:50), Angel Alverado (71st, 26:54), Alejandro Canales Bravo (72nd, 27:06), Marc Cardozo (73rd, 27:12), Janiel Marcos (76th, 29:59) and Matthew Ochoa (79th, 35:05) competed as well.

Daniel Yepez, Ceres High’s No. 3 runner during the WAC dual season, re-aggravated an injury during the middle of the race.

“It did worry me when I didn’t see him in that third spot,” Thiele said. “I knew it was his hamstring. He had been complaining about it. He did finish. He pushed through the pain.”

Ceres High tied for third with Lathrop in the WAC’s overall standings.

The Bulldogs (4-3) also placed third during the conference dual season.

“It’s an awesome achievement,” Thiele said. “Hopefully, next year we’ll inch our way up. I’m very excited about the future of our boys team.”