LODI, CA (MPG) - The Galt Warriors cross country team opened its 2026 campaign on the shaded, winding trails of Lodi Lake Park on Friday, and by the time the last runner crossed the line at the annual Lodi Flame Invitational, the Warriors had made one thing clear: The pack has arrived.

Galt won the Boys Sophomore Race outright, finished second in the Girls Sophomore Race and walked away with 14 individual medals earned by placing in the top 20 of their respective divisions. Nearly every Warrior in the field posted either a personal best or a season best, a stat line that turned a season opener into a statement.

“I am happy for our runners and their success,” Head Coach Bruce Peterson said. “Many of them put in a great summer of work and it showed on the course.”

The story of the afternoon was written by Galt’s sophomore class, which dominated both 2-mile divisions.

In the Women’s Sophomore 2-Mile, the Warriors placed second overall on the strength of textbook pack running, claiming five of the top 20 spots. Olivia Rodriguez led the charge with a blazing seventh-place finish in a personal-best 14:38.44. AnaLucia Alvarado followed in 11th with a season-best 15:31.67, and Jade Garcia was right on her heels in 12th at 15:42.57, another personal best. Kaylee Meixner (14th, 15:51.20 SB) and Crystal Lamb (18th, 16:06.62 SB) completed the medal haul.

The Men’s Sophomore 2-Mile squad went one better, capturing first place overall with five medalists of its own. Aaron Garcia spearheaded the boys’ pack with a spectacular fifth-place finish in a blistering personal-best 11:04.91. Christian Juarez (seventh, 11:19.78 PB) and Isaac Rodriguez (eighth, 11:20.87 PB) crossed back-to-back to lock down top-10 positions, while Trevor Rojas took 14th in 11:46.05 (PB) and Cristian Gomez closed out the medal count in 19th with a season-best 12:04.07.

Galt’s depth was every bit as impressive as its front end. Jayden Sirben (36th, 12:28.03 PB), Damian Miller (40th, 12:33.80 SB), Ayden Abarca (43rd, 12:38.43 PB), Wyatt Wymer (69th, 13:46.02 PB), Robin Miller (98th, 16:10.26 SB) and Diego Flores (105th, 18:26.02 SB) all delivered gutsy performances in the Friday sun.

The future of the program looked just as bright a few races earlier. In the Women’s Freshman 2-Mile, Natalia Angel proved she belongs among the elite, fighting her way to a ninth-place finish in a personal-best 15:05.13.

On the boys’ side, Parker High paced Galt in the Men’s Freshman 2-Mile, capturing 14th place in 12:21.31 (PB) to secure his individual medal. Nico Rodriguez (57th, 14:34.27 PB) and Kaleb Smith (80th, 15:58.82 PB) added strong, gritty runs in their freshman debuts.

Senior Paola Corral ran a brilliant race in the Women’s JV 2-Mile, finishing 16th in a personal-best 14:54.86 to comfortably earn her medal. 

Junior Joseline Jimenez narrowly missed joining her on the medal stand, taking an agonizing 21st place in a season-best 15:28.74, one spot outside the top-20 bubble. Junior Angie Romero, competing in the first race of her career, rounded out the JV girls’ effort in 53rd place with a 17:56.55 PB.

The Men’s JV 2-Mile featured hard-fought efforts from seniors Zakery Forney (36th, 12:29.87 PB) and Kole Pierce (54th, 13:17.11 PB), along with juniors Mason Garcia (64th, 13:43.66 SB) and Amilio Gomez (71st, 14:13.58 SB).

The varsity athletes faced the day’s most grueling test over 5,000 meters, and Galt’s top harriers answered on the premier stage.

Junior Daniel Crownover shined in the Men’s Varsity 5,000 Meters, taking 14th place in a stellar personal-best 17:43.23 to earn a hard-fought medal. Crownover’s run set the standard for a varsity group that followed with strong performances across the board: juniors Aaron Gonzalez (64th, 21:05.63 PB) and David Espinoza (66th, 21:09.02 SB), senior Julian Alvarado (74th, 22:38.72 SB), junior Edwyn Gallardo (77th, 23:50.85 SB) and senior Mateo Roberto Mejia Beas (78th, 24:03.99 SB).

In the Women’s Varsity 5,000 Meters, senior Emily Razo led the Warriors with a highly competitive 24th-place finish in a strong season-best 23:12.36. 

Junior Danielle Aragon battled hard over the same 5K layout to secure 44th place in a personal-best 25:19.92.

With 14 individual medalists and a roster full of personal and season bests, the 2026 Flame Invitational was a resounding triumph for Galt and, more importantly, a foundation of confidence heading into the meat of the schedule.

“We have a young but talented group,” Peterson said, “and it’s going to be fun seeing their progress this year.”

The Warriors are back in action Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Oakmont Invitational at Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin.