Lou Vasquez Invitational - September 24, 2009

With ideal weather conditions for the Lou Vasquez Invitational at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, both the men's and women's cross country teams produced their best individual and team performances this season. The Lou Vasquez course is run around the Polo Fields and along the deceptively uphill John F. Kennedy Drive in San Francisco's park gem.

Ellie Herrera moved herself into all-Norcal contention in a few weeks as she placed 11th overall and 6th amongst Norcal runners. Her time of 19:40 for the 5k (3.1 miles) race established a new Hartnell school record for Golden Gate Park surpassing current assistant coach Grecia Garcia's mark of 19:42 posted in 2005. The next seven Lady Panthers all posted season best times and all-time list making marks. As a team placed 5th out of 14th teams and third amongst Norcal teams behind American River College and De Anza College. Priscilla Meza (20:30), Sused Cabrera (20:50), Leticia Saldana (20:56), Mayra Garica (21:05), Jazmin Suarez (21:07), Emilse Tapia (21:25), Emily Scettrini (22:16), and Stephanie Castro (22:40) all moved on to the top all-time list.

The cross country teams will go head to head with their Norcal counterparts over the historic course at Crystal Springs on Friday, October 2nd. Crystal Springs is one of the oldest courses in Northern California and across the state. It will also serve as site of the Coast Conference and Northern California Championships in the coming weeks.

Cuesta Invitational - September 19, 2009

Taking a week off from Northern California competition, the Hartnell cross country teams ventured south to the Cuesta College Invite in San Luis Obispo. Run on one of the few courses dedicated solely to cross country competition, the Fairbanks Cross Country Course provides an excellent test of strength and endurance.




Freshman Ellie Herrera lead the Lady Panthers for the second week in a row, placing 16th overall in 20:39 in the women's 5k competition. The Panthers executed a team running strategy that garnered a third place team finish just 2 points shy of overtaking host Cuesta College for runner-up honors. Sused Cabrera was 19th (21:19), Mayra Garcia 23rd (21:43), Leticia Saldana 24th (21:45), and Jazmin Suarez 27th (21:56) to round out the scoring five. Despite a more challenging course, four women posted season bests for the five kilometers.

The Hartnell College cross country teams have a short week and will return to competition at the Lou Vasquez Invitational held at Golden Gate Park on Thursday, September 24th.

Fresno Invitational - September 12, 2009

Despite the warm weekend temperature in Fresno, the Hartnell cross country teams proved they will be forces to reckon with at the conference and regional levels. The Lady Panthers were lead by freshman Ellie Herrera who placed 56th out of 179 runners in the women's competition. The first year runner from Watsonville, moved on to the school's all-time list for Woodward Park with her time of 20:46. As a team the Panthers placed 12th out of 20 teams and was fifth amongst Norcal colleges. Rounding out the competing Panthers were Priscilla Meza (21:09), Leticia Saldana (21:29), Sused Cabrera (21:29), Emilse Tapia (22:00), Jazmin Suarez (22:09), Mayra Garcia (22:26), and Emily Scettrini (22:45). The first five Panthers recorded performances good enough to place them on the all-time list.


2009 Panthers ready to take on the Woodward Park Course

Next up for the cross country team is the Pepsi/VS Athletics Cuesta Invitational in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, Sept. 19th.

Toro Park Short Course Invitational September 4, 2009

The 2009 Hartnell College cross country started the season with wins in both the men's and women's divisions at the Toro Park Short Course Challenge. Shorter versions of the traditional courses at Toro Park were run as an early season test. The women competed over a 2.4 mile version with the men tackling a 3 miles course. Several community college teams from Northern California attended as well as NAIA 4 year institution Bethany College of Scotts Valley along with Cuesta College of San Luis Obispo.



Top 7 women's finishers (missing one runner from Cuesta College)


In the women's race, Shannon Peters of Modesto Junior College edged out local standout Sused Cabrera. Peters was timed in 16:48 with Cabrera at 16:52. Cabrera, who prepped at North Salinas High School, has consistently demonstrated her ability in practice to lead the 2009 team despite being a freshman. The Panthers outdistanced MJC with a team score of 25 to 44 points. Cuesta was third with 60 points,and Bethany College fourth at 99. West Valley College and San Jose City College field non-scoring teams. Following Cabrera were Ellie Herrera (3rd), Leticia Saldana (4th), Priscilla Meza (7th), Jazmin Suarez (9th), Emilse Tapia (12th), Mayra Garcia (13th), and Emily Scettrini (18th).


Lady Panthers take the win at the first annual Toro Park Short Course.

Next up for the Panthers is the Fresno Invitational next Saturday. The Fresno Invitational attracts many of the best teams across the state and will provide a state championships preview of the course at Woodward Park.