Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s cross country programs wrapped up the Western Athletic Conference season last month.

The Bulldogs and crosstown-rival Hawks had a combined 32 runners compete at the WAC Championship on Oct. 23 at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

“We improved a lot throughout the season,” Central Valley head coach Michael Mrgudic said.

“I am pleased with the team progress,” Ceres High leader Owen Brown said.

Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s varsity boys squads took seventh and eighth, respectively, at the league finals.

The Bulldogs and Hawks totaled 184 and 188 points.

Ceres High finished ahead of Central Valley for the third time during the WAC season.

“The expectation was we wanted to beat Ceres,” Mrgudic said. “I’m happy we got close.”

Sergio Torres paced the Bulldogs. He took 21st with a time of 19 minutes, 6 seconds on the 3-mile course.

Ceres High teammates Martin Bolanos Aleman (19:44), Andres Marcial (20:46), Christian Valadez (22:14), Shaan Gill (23:03), Ivan Rodriguez (24:06) and Alex Rodriguez (25:49) placed 31st, 37th, 53rd, 59th, 64th and 69th, respectively.

Frankie Klino paced the Hawks. He took 23rd (19:18).

Central Valley teammates Felix Mendez (20:41), Alexis Landa (21:17), Javier Contreras (21:42), Jackson Stokes (22:10), Enoc Reyes (22:29), Marco Coria (25:03) and Ivan Anaya (25:41) placed 36th, 43rd, 47th, 52nd, 55th, 66th and 68th, respectively.

Ceres High’s varsity girls squad totaled 123 points en route to a last-place finish.

Central Valley didn’t post a team score due to a lack of numbers.

“I had expected to move up in the rankings,” Brown said. “Losing a top runner severely impacted our overall team performance.”

Jaden Stahl paced the Bulldogs. She took 15th with a time of 23 minutes, 51 seconds on the 3-mile course.

Ceres High teammates Katie Amezcua (26:25), Giselle Contreras (27:43), Brooke Kiser (29:09), Stephanie Espinoza (29:28) and Samira Mendoza (29:57) placed 27th, 30th, 33rd, 34th and 36th, respectively.

Alyssa Ontiveroz was the Hawks’ lone competitor at the WAC varsity girls finals. She took 32nd (28:18).

“We’re proud of her,” Mrgudic said. “She was very consistent throughout the season.”

Central Valley had three runners finish in the top five while competing at the junior-varsity level.

Aubrey Tyler-Pannell paced the Hawks. She took third with a time of 16 minutes, 50 seconds on the 2-mile course.

Manroop Kaur (17:04) and Karen Magallon (17:18) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

“Super proud of those girls,” Mrgudic said. “I knew they were going to do really well based on previous WAC meets. They’ve been working hard all season. They’re so dedicated.”

Tyler-Pannell, Kaur and Magallon are all first-year runners. They all have bright futures in the sport according to Mrgudic.

“Without a doubt, they have varsity potential,” he said.

Central Valley’s Courtney Crane (20:00) finished 15th.

Ceres High had one participant in Isabella Sabala. She took 16th (20:19).

Lionel Villanueva paced the Bulldogs during the JV boys race. He took 32nd with a time of 14 minutes, 35 seconds on the 2.1-mile course.

Ceres High teammates Jayden Jaimes (14:40) and Elija Villamarin (14:57) placed 35th and 40th, respectively.

Alejandro Rodriguez Arroyo paced the Hawks. He took 50th (15:57).

Central Valley teammates Isaiah Ramos (19:45) and Xavier Vallance (21:10) finished 62nd and 63rd, respectively.

“We have a good relationship with the Central Valley cross country team and cheer for them as our extended family,” Brown said.