DHS roundup: Blue Devils run well at Clovis Invitational

There were a couple of goals in racing at the Clovis Invitational on Saturday for the Davis High varsity cross country team.

The race, held at Woodward Park in Fresno, gives the team the chance to race on the California state meet course in preparation for a hopeful return in November. Additionally, the Clovis Invitational gives the squads the opportunity to race against some of the top teams in California, as many Southern California teams venture north for this meet. If Saturday’s results are any indication, the DHS runners are ready to race again on this course in November.

The DHS girls, ranked fourth in the state for Division I schools, ran in the most competitive race of the day, racing against 24 teams in the varsity championship division. Buchanan High from Clovis was first with 93 points. Sac-Joaquin Section rival St. Francis — ranked second in D-I — took second in team scoring at 125, one point ahead of the third-place Blue Devils. The DHS team time of 93 minutes, 48 seconds is the fastest team time ever for a DHS squad in the 25-year history on the state meet course.

Freshman Fiona O’Keeffe continued her impressive running debut, placing fourth in 17:42. This places her second all-time for DHS Woodward Park times, behind Laurynne Chetalat’s time of 17:18 (2007). Her teammates’ pack running, with the next four scoring runners crossing the finish line within three seconds of each other, solidified the team’s strong finish. Sophie Meads and Laney Teaford were 32nd and 33rd with times of 19:00 and 19:01, respectively, while sophomores Maggie McManis (35th, 19:02) and Guilia McIsaac (38th, 19:03) finished just behind them. Completing the top seven were Laura Daggett (98th, 19:58) and Danielle Gantar (124th, 20:28).

The DHS boys — running in the extra-large school varsity boys race — took fifth out of 26 teams. El Toro from Southern California placed first with 97 points. Jack Scranton continued his impressive senior year, placing fifth. His time of 15:36 places him sixth on the all-time DHS Woodward Park list.

Like their female teammates, pack running was the key to success for the boys’ team. Brian Song, Jasper Laca and Paul Mohr finished within five seconds of each other, taking places 37, 38 and 41 with times of 16:24, 16:25 and 16:29. John Testerman and Gavin Monges stepped it up and helped in the team placement with times of 16:42 (66th) for Testerman and 16:45 (72nd) for Monges. Teammate Daniel Rowen, who usually runs stride for stride with the top five, fell hard about a mile from the finish but was able to finish in 84th place with a time of 16:55.

DHS field hockey

Emily Barber scored two goals as the Davis High field hockey team blanked Bella Vista 4-0 on Friday.

Kayla Robinson notched a goal for the Blue Devils, and teammate Ariana Enzerink converted a penalty shot.

“We played very, very well,” DHS coach Sandie Marotti-Huckins said. “It was the Davis offense against the Bella Vista defense, as we kept the ball on their side.

“Bella Vista’s goalie Jennifer Barrett kept her team in the game,” Marotti-Huckins added.

DHS travels to Corning on Monday and Chico on Tuesday. Both games are at 4:30 p.m.