Gonzalez makes history with first women’s individual title for Diablo Valley, Vargas captures first men’s crown for Santa Rosa since 1987

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Following two-year breaks, the American River College men’s team and Hartnell College women regained titles Friday at the California Community College Athletic Association Northern California Regional Championships.

When it came to the individual crowns, a pair of promising young talents rose to the occasion at Shasta College in Redding.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS

Julia Gonzalez became the first Diablo Valley College female runner to win the regional title and fellow freshman Johnny Vargas of Santa Rosa secured the program’s first men’s championship since 1987 to build momentum entering the state final Nov. 17 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Gonzalez broke open a tight race in the final mile to cover the 5-kilometer course in 19 minutes, 25.5 seconds, with teammate Gaby Orellana placing fourth in 19:52.7, marking the third time in program history – including 2000 and 2005 – that Diablo Valley placed two women’s athletes in the top five in the same year at the regional final.

Monica Ruelas placed second in 19:35.3 for Hartnell, which had its five scorers in the top 10 and all seven athletes earn regional honors by finishing in the top 14 to prevail over Santa Rosa by a 19-99 margin.

It was the eighth women’s regional title in the past 20 years for the Panthers, who had freshman Daniela Salazar (19:40.3) in third, sophomore Arlene Diaz Leal (20:05.5) in fifth, freshman Isabelle Torres (20:22) in eighth and sophomore Nina Arias (20:36) taking 10th. Sophomore Maria Aceves (20:44) was 12th and freshman Nerina Campos (21:01.6) secured 14th.

Diaz Leal was the only female athlete to place in the top five at the regional final in consecutive years, becoming the first Hartnell runner to achieve the feat since Malena Grover in 2014-15.

American River sophomore Haven Lambrite (20:15.6) placed sixth and freshman Ana Palafox led Santa Rosa (20:16.2) by finishing seventh.

Vargas followed his victory Oct. 5 at the Northern California preview meet by winning the regional championship, covering the 4-mile course in 21:13.2, with College of the Sequoias freshman Ismael Ramirez placing second in 21:18.4.

American River had five scorers in the top 17 and all seven runners in the top 35 to deny Hartnell a third straight title with a 55-99 victory.

Peter Vo (21:43.4) was 10th, Logan Dodge (21:49.5) took 11th, Josh Kling (21:55.8) finished 13th, Ben Blankenburg (21:57.3) placed 14th and Ben Kizziar (22:00.4) secured 17th for American River, which captured a 16th men’s regional championship since 1967. Sebastian Leon (22:07.1) was 25th and Jorge Pena (22:21.8) finished 33rd for the Beavers.

Patrick Olson (21:27.5) and Alfredo Mejia Jr. (21:34.9) placed fifth and sixth for Hartnell, which was seeking three consecutive championships for the first time since 1995-97.

Chabot freshman Reece Proctor (21:22.3) finished third and Monterey Peninsula freshman Caleb Llorin-Fernandez (21:26.8) took fourth.

In its first year as a program, Clovis qualified for the state meet in both genders, guided by coach C.J. Albertson, a former Buchanan High and Arizona State standout.

Led by Chris Watkins placing seventh in 21:36.4, the men’s team finished fourth with 123 points. The women’s team had three athletes in the top 30 and was fifth with 135 points.