DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys and girls cross country teams recently competed at the first San Gabriel Valley League cluster meet last Thursday at Hollydale Park.Both Viking teams fared well and managed to defeat Dominguez, Gahr, Lynwood and Paramount, respectively. The only blemish for both squads was a loss to cross-town rival Warren. This "cluster meet" was the first of three scheduled for S.G.V.L. competition. The second cluster meet will be held Oct. 11, at Cerritos Regional Park and the last meet will be held on Oct. 30, at La Mirada Park. The last cluster meet at La Mirada will serve as league finals and teams will advance from that competition to C.I.F. The Downey boys' team placed 1st, 7th, 15th, 19th and 21st with an overall meet time of 1:21:28 and an average runner time of 16:17.60. Andres Velasco won the competition in 15:10, Miguel Gutierrez finished 7th in 16:06, Anthony Lopez finished 15th in 16:30, Eric Enriquez finished 19th in 16:46 and Emmanuel Ramirez finished 21st in 16:56. There were 37 runners who competed in this race. Warren, the winner of the boys' cluster meet, finished with an overall meet time of 1:19:32 and an average runner time of 15:54.40. The Downey girls' team placed 1st, 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th, 15th and 18th with an overall meet time of 1:36:02 and an average runner time of 19:12.40. Lisa Vasquez won the competition in 17:59, Meghan Nevarez finished 5th in 19:05, Megaly Gastelum finished 6th in 19:31, Karen Silva finished 9th in 19:38, Marissa Pluma finished 11th in 19:49, Crystal Raygoza finished 15th in 20:10 and Jocelyn Orozco finished 18th in 20:25.

********** Published: September 27, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 24