The Little Giant Cross Country team put up a valiant effort at yesterday evening’s annual “Battle of Route 20,” hosted at Walsh Park. In a highly competitive field featuring teams from Bellevue, Clyde, and Ross, it was the Bellevue Redmen who claimed this year’s Route 20 crown. However, the Little Giants delivered several notable performances that made the race one to remember.
Boys Race Recap
Daniel Sanchez led the Little Giant boys with an impressive performance, crossing the finish line first with a time of 18:50. He battled through the final stretch to secure the top spot, outpacing Bellevue’s Aiden Weber, who finished a close second with a time of 19:32.
Adding to the Little Giant scoring were Andrew Tooman and Colin Rich, who showcased their determination by finishing just two seconds apart. Tooman clocked in at 20:49, while Rich followed at 20:51, giving the team valuable points.
LJ Gabel rounded out the top five for the Little Giants, matching Rich’s time at 20:51 to complete the 5K course. The collective efforts from these boys proved that the Little Giants remain a force to be reckoned with on the cross country scene.
Girls Race Recap
On the girls’ side, Sophia Metcalf set the pace for the Little Giants, finishing with a time of 21:58. Metcalf’s performance anchored the team, placing her among the race’s frontrunners. Close behind was Kennedy Walker, whose time of 22:11 further demonstrated the depth of talent on this year’s roster.
Ariana Hinojosa-Williams and Malaya Hughes contributed to the scoring effort with times of 23:45 and 24:09, respectively. Their solid finishes kept the Little Giants within striking distance of Bellevue throughout the race.
Rounding out the girls’ scoring was Kailani Long, who posted a time of 24:22, capping off a strong showing for the team.