Sandles Wins Independence Invitational

A new invite by a new school brings a small field to Independence high school. Being on the same day as the McFarland, is unfortunate and diluted both local events especially on a weekend when many teams look to travel out of town as well.

Despite all of the above, it looks like both the boys and girls races were good close races for the most part. In the boys race, Sandles (photo) won in a time 17:03 on the 5k course. He was followed by one athlete from each of the other competing schools.

In the end, North won the invite and was lead by Lopez who came in 3rd in a time of 17:52. The host took second by a point over Foothill. The results would have been different if Foothill's number one runner Jose Lopez had run the race.

Independence Invitational

Boys at Independence; 5K course

Team scores--North 30, Independence 46, Foothill 47

Individual results--1. Sandles, GV, 17:03; 2. Bautista, F, 17:42; 3. Lopez, N, 17:52; 4. Facho, I, 18:08; 5. Mosqueda, N, 18:11; 6. Davalos, N, 18:17; 7. Fisher, I, 18:25; 8. Garcia, F, 18:29; 9. Gamino, GV, 18:30; 10. Kostner, I, 18:34.

JV Foothill 42, North 43, Golden Valley 77, Independence 80

FS Foothill 35, North 43, Independence 50

The girls race was won by Natalie Fernandez (21:20) who lead her Trojans to the team win and has been improving with each meet this season. At the EB invite, the North's two girls beat her.

Girls at Independence; 5K course

Team scores--Foothill 37, North 50, Independence 52, Golden Valley 74

Individual results--1. Fernandez, F, 21:20; 2. Veloz, F, 21:29; 3. Moyer, N, 21:43; 4. Perez, N, 21:46; 5. Webb, I, 22:01; 6. Ingram, I, 22:07; 7. Sullivan, I, 22:08; 8. Marsala, F, 22:23; 9. Silva, GV, 22:47; 10. Perez, N, 22:56.

JV Golden Valley 21, Independence 34

FS North 16, Foothill 49, Independence 64

Daymon Sandles Only Bright Spot

It was hot (over 90 degrees) and dusty at Golden Valley today and many athletes may have gotten dizzy going round and round on the Golden Valley looped course. The course ran a lap around the track (hence the dust), a big loop around the grass field and then a small loop near the track. Then back on the track.


The JV races ran two laps on the course and the varsity did three loops of the mile course. Now the athletes might not of like the course but it was very spectator friendly.

The Highland girls one a close one against East and won against Golden Valley. East also defeated Golden Valley.

In the boys race, Daymon Sandles took the early lead and lead the field of the track with several Highland and East runners in tow. As the race unfolded Highland runners moved up and Blades fell back and by the finish Highland easily took the win over East and Golden Valley. In the last half mile Colin Lewis (Highland Sr) took the lead and the win.

Golden Valley Meet Scores:

Boys:
Highland 18, Golden Valley 45
East 20, Golden Valley 39
Highland 15, East 40

Girls:
Highland 19, Golden Valley 39
East 23, Golden Valley 33
Highland 26, East 30

Photos HERE.

95:54 - Team Time - 19:11 average by Golden Valley at Valley 08

95:54 - Team Time - 19:11 average by Golden Valley at Valley 08

19. 473 GV-B/Golden Valley - Bakersfield ( 19:11 1:35:54)

1 16 Daymon Sandles So 592 16 17:04
2 106 Jose Salgado Sr 593 110 19:26
3 111 Daniel Perez Jr 596 115 19:39
4 113 David Gamino Jr 594 117 19:42
5 127 Francisco Rueda Jr 595 132 20:03


It seemed like Golden Valley had more distance runners in track then they did in cross country. When they ran a dual against BHS, they only had 16 runners and that was the boys and girls cross country combined. I have been told that Golden Valley has the largest student body in KHSD and if more came out, they would have a good squad like their track teams. The lone star for GV is Daymon Sandles who just finished a very competitive track season and could be a big surprise this fall. He has a lot of talent and is a fierce competitor. Just ask anyone who has taken an elbow from him.