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De La Cruz has strong performance for Warriors
ohs xc 10-15
Orestimba High junior Samantha De La Cruz powers through the Division 5 girls’ 5,000-meter race at the Clovis Invitational on Oct. 10 at Woodward Park in Fresno. De La Cruz finished in 20:17.30—just seconds off her personal best—to place 41st in a competitive field. - photo by Photo courtesy of StanCo Distance

FRESNO – Samantha De La Cruz was just seconds shy of breaking her own personal record for the Orestimba High School girls’ cross-country team on Oct. 11.

Competing at the Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park, De La Curz, a junior, ran the Women’s 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) Division 5 in which she finished with a time of 20 minutes, 17.30 seconds for 41st place. Her previous best time was…

“We only took five boys and Samantha to that meet, and they all ran well,” said Orestimba head coach Scott Felber.

The Warrior boys, competing in the Men’s 5,000 Meters D-5 division, had Joseph Garcia take 118th place with a time of 18:02.70.

“He ran a good race as well,” said Felber of Garcia.

Emmanuel Garabito was at No. 192, clocked at 19:19.20. Noel Madrigal and Diego Mendoza finished neck-and-neck for Orestimba, finishing at 21:41.60 and 21:42.20 for 229th and 230th place respectively. Erik Cerna was 233rd at 21:57.30.

The invitation also serves as the course for the California Interscholastic Federation State Cross Country Championships, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29.

The Warriors return to Woodward Park again this Friday, Oct. 17 to compete in the Rough Rider Invitational.

The running doesn’t stop for Orestimba squads, as they are scheduled to compete again Saturday, this time at the Hughson Supercross Invitational.

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushmedia.