McALLEN — More than 50 teams from across the Coastal Bend, Laredo and RGV took centerstage under the lights Friday, all gathering at the McAllen Sports Complex for the Bulldogs Friday Night Light Cross Country Invitational.
Two teams stood out among the loaded group, with McAllen High’s girls and Weslaco East boys taking home the team trophy for their second straight overall victory to start the 2024 season.
The Bulldogs had three athletes finish among the top five in a field that featured 185 total runners. Senior Dana Rojas Vazquez led the group, clocking in at 17 minutes, 42.5 seconds for the individual win. The victory marked her second straight of the year, while also breaking the sub-18 mark for a second time this season.
Fellow senior Kenzi Ramirez joined Rojas Vazquez in the top five, coming in fourth with a time of 19:14.5, followed by freshman teammate Sophia Simpson in fifth with a time of 19:34.3. Simpson has now finished in the top five during each of her first two varsity meets.
In the boys division, the Wildcats had their top five runners all finish inside the top 25 to secure their second straight team victory. Senior Adrianno Gonzalez paced the way with a sixth-place finish, clocking in at 15:59.4. Octavian De La Serna (15th), Aaron Nava (16th), Aron Martinez (19th) and Alexander Nava (21st) rounded out the Wildcats top five runners.
While the Wildcats took home the team trophy, the Lions dynamic junior trio stole the show, with the group taking the top three spots during the race.
Anthony Morales cruised to first place with a time of 15:00.3 during his first meet of the 2024 season, followed by his twin sibling Armando in second (15:10.5) and Nathan Salinas in third (15:36.0).
With the trio leading the way, the Lions finished in third in the overall team standings, with Eagle Pass taking second.
For full results from this weekend’s cross country action, click here.
