ROCKLIN, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch High School cross country program sent 19 runners north from Galt to the Sierra College Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 22, opening the season against one of the largest early-season fields in Northern California, where more than 30 schools packed the two-mile grade-level races from the freshman heats through the senior finals.

The competition was as tough as it gets in August. Oak Ridge, the Sacramento-area power that swept the freshman boys, junior boys and freshman girls team titles, brought its usual depth and made every pack position a fight. 

McClatchy took the senior boys crown, Turlock edged Oakmont in a tight sophomore boys battle, and Whitney claimed both the junior and senior girls’ titles. 

Bella Vista, Vacaville, Franklin (Elk Grove) and Placer rounded out a field that pushed times down across every division.

Liberty Ranch’s freshman boys fielded the program’s largest contingent, with eight runners scoring a 12th-place team finish. 

Cole Gutierrez led the way in 45th at 13:10.42, followed by Connor Gutierrez in 59th at 13:28.82. Rocco Caramazza placed 82nd in 14:28.81 and Samuel Underwood took 87th in 14:35.00 to close out the scoring four. Gabriel Westbrooks (105th, 15:49.55), Zack Pierce (108th, 15:59.79), Gavin Arroyo (117th, 17:12.79) and Abel Foster (120th, 18:24.52) completed the group in a race that drew 124 finishers.

In the sophomore boys’ race, one of the day’s deepest at 150 finishers, Noah LaBrada was the top Hawk in 58th at 13:04.08. Gunnar Rohner followed in 93rd at 14:10.40, with Adrian Meza 107th in 14:43.31 and Emmanuel Carpio 146th in 20:51.50.

The junior boys race produced Liberty Ranch’s fastest times of the day. Jordan Gonzalez crossed 67th in 12:44.72 and Santiago Pargas came through just behind him in 69th at 12:45.54, the two finishing within a second of each other. Harrison Leipelt placed 134th in 17:47.41.

On the girls’ side, Isabella Westlynn set the program’s pace with a 33rd-place finish in the junior race at 15:37.01. Giselle Escalera took 58th in 19:10.40 and Goahlee Her placed 62nd in 20:32.64. Sophomore Kecia Camacho finished 67th in 20:10.29.

With opening-day marks now on the board, the Hawks have baseline times to chase as the season builds toward league competition this fall.