Top runner freshman Jose Leza-
ma has once again came out on top
of the field, with a finishing time of
20:04 at the Golden West Invita-
tional, on Sept. 25, where the men’s
cross-country finished third-place
overall.
The time placed Lezama second
on the all-time course list, just a sec-
ond behind Art Diaz’s time who ran
for EC in 2001.
He was one of the best runners in
the state coming out of high school,”
coach Dean Lofgren said.
Following closely behind was
freshman David Cardona who fin-
ished fifth in the field of 196 run-
ners. The one-two punch of Lezama
and Cardona is proving to be a vital
source of production for the men’s
team, as returning runners such as
sophomores Rio Enomoto and Noah
Lopez look to regain their form from
last season.
The gap, however, is beginning to
close as freshman Jimi Duffin fin-
ished 22nd with a time of 21:26 and
Enomoto finished 30th, with a time
of 21:40.
“We’re looking much better,”
Lofgren said. “We’re slowly tighten-
ing up and we hope as we get tighter,
other teams will start to spread out.”
The fifth-ranked team took a bye
last weekend, in preparation for the
upcoming Irvine Invitational, which
will be held on Sat. October 10 at Ir-
vine Regional Park and will mark the
beginning of the second-half of the
season, Rebecca Caracoza continues
to lead the women’s cross-country
team, placing 14th in the 167-run-
ners field on Friday Sept. 25, a the
Golden West Invitational. Caracoza
finished with a time of 19:58, earn-
ing her seventh place on EC’s all-
time list for the 3.1-mile course.
“Rebecca has been our leader this
season,” Lofgren said. “She has pro-
vided a lot of support for the team
and is producing well.”
The women’s team also took a bye
last weekend and will join the men in
the Irvine Invitational on Saturday.