Bell Gardens Invite: Jayson and Lauren lead the way

Senior Jayson Perez (South El Monte) and junior Lauren Justus (Glendora) turned in dominating wins in today’s Bell Gardens Invitational.  Taking advantage of the relative cool weather of the first race of the day, Perez scorched the flat three mile course at Whittier Narrows Park in 15:02, ahead of fine performances from Israel Orosco (Azusa), Paul Balderas (Diamond Ranch), Efren Alcala (Arroyo) and teammate Isaias Hinojosa, all of whom dipped under 16:00.  El Monte’s Brandon Martinez ran a fine 15:46 to win the Junior race.

Justus led the girls junior race from the start and cruised to a 18:35 win.  She was followed under 19:00 minutes by junior Vanessa Lopez (Rowland), and Reina Sotelo (Los Altos) in the senior race.

Top Ten Area Performers after the jump

Boys

1. 15:02  Jayson Perez – South El Monte – 1st senior and overall
2. 15:30  Israel Orosco – Azusa – 3rd senior
3. 15:36   Paul Balderas, SR – Diamond Ranch – 4th senior
4. 15:43   Efren Alcala, Sr – Arroyo – 6th senior
5. 15:46   Brandon Martinez – El Monte – 1st junior
6. 15:53   Isaias Hinojosa – South El Monte – 7th senior
7. 16:02   Joshua Sanchez – Los Altos – 1st sophomore
8. 16:05   Miguel Gonzalez – Los Altos – 8th senior
9. 16:11    Fernando Hernandez – South El Monte – 4th junior
10. 16:19   Alfredo Orozco – Azusa – 5th junior

Top Finishers from other local schools were: Baldwin Park: Anthony Giles (16:38, 17th Senior), Glendora: Nick Orozco (16:40, 13th Junior), and Rowland: Calvin Wong (17:07, 27th Senior)
Girls

1. 18:35   Lauren Justus – Glendora – 1st junior and overall
2. 18:54   Reina Sotelo – Los Altos – 2nd senior
3. 18:56   Vanessa Lopez – Rowland – 3rd junior
4. 19:05   Kristan Galvez – Rowland – 3rd senior
5. 19:18   Veronica Bejar – South El Monte – 4 th senior
6. 19:36   Laura Gazca – Arroyo – 5th junior
7. 19:37   Lucy Lopez – Arroyo – 6th junior
8. 19:52   Jacky Alcala – Arroyo – 2nd soph
9. 20:06  Jessica Centeno – Arroyo – 8th senior
10. 20:06  Allison Mayo – Glendora – 8th junior

Top Finishers from other local schools were: El Monte: Angelique Tejeda (20:40, 5th Soph), Azusa: Marlynna Milina (20:46, 12th Senior), Diamond Ranch: Brittany Armas (20:57, 13th Senior), Baldwin Park: Miriam Jimenez (21:05, 20th Junior)
Complete Results are here.