Benavides finishes fifth, Wolves nab team title at Dilley meet

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | October 2, 2024

ROBERT C. SALAZAR INVITATIONAL

Four of five runners finish in top 20 at event.

Dilley sophomore Josiah Benavides finished fifth overall and led the Wolves to the team title at the second annual Robert C. Salazar Cross Country Invitational meet at Gosch Field Saturday morning, September 28.
Four of Dilley’s five varsity runners finished in the top 20 in the boys’ division.
“It felt good for the boys to finally capture a team championship on their home course, as we had been second for the last couple of years,” DHS Interim Head Coach James Rodriguez said. “This year’s meet hosted 18 other schools with over 500 entries, making this one of the biggest invitationals we’ve hosted so far!”
The Lady Wolves did not field a team but were led by Azaela Espinosa. The injured sophomore finished 17th in her division.
Varsity results are as follows: Josiah Benavides, 5th, 17:29, Xavier Hernandez, 6th, 17:36, Brazos Viesca, 10th, 17:50, Joshua Montoya, 20th, 18:39, Julian Cruz, 24th, 18:59.
Varsity girls’ results are as follows: Azaela Espinosa, 17th, 13:57, Zoey Ortegon, 18th, 14:06.
Sophomore Eduardo Torres won the junior varsity boys’ individual title at the event and led the JV Wolves to the runner-up spot in the team competition as three of his five teammates finished in the top five overall.

Dilley’s Angel Martinez leads the pack out of the gates at the Robert C. Salazar Invitational.

JV results are as follows: Eduardo Torres, first, 19:03, Jose Ortegon, second, 19:09, Matthew Montoya, fourth, 19:47, Guadalupe Rodriguez, 28th, 23:25, Rodrigo Cardenas, 35th, 24:51, Jaelyn Rodriguez, 22nd, 16:39.
In junior high action, Dilley’s seventh grade Lady Pups captured the team championship as five of the nine runners earned top 20 finishes in their field.
Danica Hernandez led the way with a third place finish overall.
Elijah Montoya (8th grade boys), Owen Surles (7th grade boys), and Harvest Viesca (8th grade girls) all led their teams in their respective divisions.
“We are extremely pleased and proud that we had so many medalists across all divisions, and everyone has gotten faster,” Rodriguez said. “Our middle school runners are primed and ready for district competition as it is their last week of practice.”
Seventh grade girls’ results are as follows: Danica Hernandez, third, 14:18, Caylee Reyes, seventh, 14:37, Hope Arriazola, 13th, 14:53, Aubrey Garcia, 16th, 15:14, Diamond Martinez, 20th, 15:38, Zaliyah Martinez, 24th, 15:59, Larayna Sauceda, 27th, 16:16, Janae Garcia, 31st, 16:33, Faith Arriazola, 59th, 18:57.
Seventh grade boys results: Owen Surles, third, 12:54, Ram Ochoa, sixth, 13:32, Payton Kinsey, 18th, 14:01, Marshall Ray, 22nd, 14:14.
Eighth grade girls results: Harvest Viesca, seventh, 14:27, Jessell Duran, 30th, 16:05, Kaitlyn Ayala, 40th, 17:06, Peyzlee Ybarra, 24:23.
Eighth grade boys results: Elijah Montoya, 5th, 11:48, Barret Collier, 14th, 12:47, Zaydrian Sauceda, 30th, 14:07, Juan Rodriguez, 40th, 15:32, Justin Rios, 45th, 16:55.
Dilley will now host the 2024 District 28-3A Cross Country Championships at Gosch Field on Monday, October 7.

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