By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
On Saturday, Sept. 14 Port Isabel Early College High School held its Eighth Annual Sylvia H. Torres Invitational.
Many schools attended, such as Donna North, Los Fresnos, PSJA Memorial, Roma, and a handful of IDEA and Jubilee schools. Twenty-six schools from all over the RGV participated.
96 runners competed in the Varsity Boy’s 5000 Meter Run division and the top three to finish were, first: Thomas Tamayo, Los Fresnos, 16:28.40 minutes, second: Jose Ventura, Lasara, 16:35.50 and third: Kai Sepulveda, Harlingen South 17:30.70.
As far as Port Isabel athletes, the top finisher was Cleveland Smith who finished in sixth place with a time of 17:44.50 minutes. Behind him were 15th: Jorge Garcia (18:28.40), 16th: Christian Smith (18:28.90), 32nd: Julio Cortez (20:10.50), 38th: Mikel Sosa (20:29.00), 44th: Jesus Gaitan (20:50.60) and 62nd: Joaquin Rodriguez (22:18.00).
In boys’ team standings, the top three teams were first: Harlingen South with 39 points, second: Los Fresnos with 56 points and third: Port Isabel with 93 points.
The girls’ 3200 Meter Run division saw 79 runners compete and the top three to finish were, first: Kaycei Salaza, La Villa 12:30.50, second: Jessica De Leon, Harlingen South, 12:41.80 and third: Yiarah Garza, Rio Grande City, 13:04.60.
The top runner for Port Isabel was freshman, Nicole Sanchez who came in 21st place with a time of 14:55.20. She was followed by 32nd: Lizbeth Perez (15:24.60), 41st: Layla Mata (16:19.80), 47th: Julieta Ruiz (16:37.70), 55th: Isabella Betancourt (16:51.70), 56th: Madilynn Zamaron (16:53.30) and 57th: Jazera Garcia (17:07.60).
In the girls’ team standings, the top three teams were first: Harlingen South with 32 points, second: Los Fresnos with 88 points, and third: Donna North with 92 points. The Port Isabel team finished in fifth place with 145 points.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 a.m., the Port Isabel CC teams will travel to Donna to compete in the RGV Cross Country Coaches Association Meet of Champions at the Donna North HS. The 32-4A District Meet will be held on Oct. 9 in La Feria.