After finishing first and second the week before at the CIF-SJS Sub Section cross country race in Angels Camp, Jace Campos and Gio Mejia set their sights on qualifying for the state meet. The duo knew they had their work cut out for them with several talented runners competing in the Section race at Willow Park in Folsom.
In Angels Camp the Panther runners faced competition of strictly Division 2 runners, but in Folsom it would be runners from every Division.
Campos, a state qualifier in 2025, was focused to get back to Woodward Park in Fresno for this year’s state meet. Mejia was looking to reach the ultimate high school race for the first time. sAt the sub-section race, coach Carlos Campos figured the pair would have a good chance, pointing out that as a team the Panthers finished 15th in Division 2. Out of all divisions Pacheco would finish sub sections 54th out of 112 teams.
Needing a solid race to move on, Campos would turn in a time good enough to finish 6th and Mejia would finish 10th. For the first time in school history, Pacheco would be sending two athletes to the CIF State Cross Country Championships. In Division 2 there were only 3 individual runners that posted good enough times to advance and 2 of those 3 spots were held by Campos and Mejia.
The state race will be taking place in Fresno at Woodward Park on Sat., November 29. Fans that would like to make the trip, tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Division 2 boys are scheduled to compete in the first race of the day at 8:30 a.m.
