Villegas Makes History at State Preview
Heading into the first cross country race of the 2023 season, sophomore Andrea Villegas found herself in a unique position as the leader of this year's Hartnell College women's cross country team. After a stellar spring 2023 track season that saw the North Monterey Country High School graduate earn All-American in the 10,000m, Villegas knew she was capable of an outstanding debut performance. Running at Woodward Park for the first time sine November 2021, Villegas cruised to victory over the 5k (3.1 mile) course in 18:36. The time was 48 seconds faster than her time in 2021 that earned her All-State honors at the 3C2A State Championship. Her performance would help the Panthers to a third place team finish with 108 points just 18 points behind 2022 3C2A fourth place team Clovis Community College.
Despite a warm morning in Fresno, Villegas powered to the front of the field and joined a pair of freshmen Alexis Noble of San Diego Mesa College and Megan Feitz of Cerritos College. A first mile split of around 6:00 felt too easy for Villegas and she covered the rolling hill second mile in sub six minute pace to gap Noble at the 2 mile mark. Villegas would stay at that pace until she could see the inflatable arch at the finish knowing she would become Hartnell College's first ever State Preview Meet winner. Her consistent pace over the final two thirds of the race put 34 seconds between her and second place. Villegas moves to fourth all-time at Woodward Park but records the fastest debut performance of the season there. She sits just one second behind All-Americans Monica Ruelas (18:35) and equaled Daniela Salazar's time (18:36). With one more chance to run Woodward Park for the 3C2A title, Villegas could become the first Panther to eclipse the 18 minute barrier passing legend Malena Grover's 18:06 and third place state finish.
Freshman Roselyn Olivo will look to duplicate the development Villegas has shown as a Panther. Olivo's sixth place finish in 20:10 gives her the opportunity to succeed Villegas next year as the top runner in Northern California. A pair of freshmen in Jimena Hernandez (21:55) and Alexandra Castro (22:25) placed 26th and 38th with sophomore Maria Garcia (22:32) finishing the team sccore. Lapislazuli Hernandez (23:58) and Jade Pimentel (24:29) rouned out the top seven. Ana Martinez (24:37), Isabelle Rocha (24:48), Isabella Rocha (25:04), and Angelina Ybarra (25:31) all made their 2023 season debuts with solid performances.
Hartnell Women's Performances
1. Andrea Villegas 18:36
6. Roselyn Olivo 20:10
26. Jimena Hernandez 21:55
38. Alexandra Campos 22:25
40. Maria Garcia 22:32
65. Lapislazuli Hernandez 23:58
71. Jade Pimentel 24:29
72. Ana Martinez 24:37
74. Isabelle Rocha 24:48
75. Isabella Rocha 25:04
77. Angelina Ybarra 25:31
The Panthers will compete next at the Monterey Peninsual Invitational on Saturday, September 16 at the Palo Corona Cross Country Course in Carmel Valley.
