Ullrich leads local runners qualified for Masters

Collin Ullrich’s journey toward a second berth in the state cross country championships took its first step in the Sac-Joaquin Section Subsection meet on Saturday.

Ullrich made quick work of the hillsides above the Calaveras County Fairground in Frogtown to win the 5kilometer (3.1-mile) race in 15 minutes, 24.7 seconds. His closest competitor in the Division IV race was Karl Winter of St. Mary’s, who cross the finish like almost 15 seconds later.

Ullrich was the 2016 Division IV boys champion.

A few other local runners had a good day on Saturday, with the Lodi High girls squad qualifying as a team with a sixth-place finish in the Division I girls race with 194 points. Each varsity division sends the top 10 teams to the section meet, along with the highest 10 individuals not on those teams.

Ruth Hernandez led the way for the Flames, finishing the course at 19:45.3 for 21st place. Other Flames runners included Paris Heisler (32nd at 20:09.7), Maria Hernandez (39th at 20:21.1), Pamela Decko (52nd at 20:45.2), Friday Rodriguez (56th at 20:51.9), Yasmin Melendrez (60th at 20:54.8) and Jordan Morton (66th at 21:19.3).

The Lodi boys came one place away from qualifying as a team, taking 11th with 274 points to 10th-place Folsom’s 266. Peter Vo ran a 15:41.5 to place fifth in Division I, and Bryson Goehring ran a 16:28.8 to place 42nd and nab one of the last individual qualifying spots. Both runners move on to the SJS masters meet next week.

James Angel (74th at 16:28.8), Lucas Fonda (79th at 17:19.4) and Jesus Santillan (80th at 17:20.4) were some of Lodi’s other top runners.

Two other varsity runners qualified as individuals, with Tokay’s Alek Francovich placing 40th in Division II at 16:51.2, and Galt’s Madison Petersen placing ninth in the Division IV girls race at 19:43.8.

Tokay’s boys placed 14th as a team, and the Tigers’ girls placed 18th. Liberty Ranch’s boys squad placed 15th in Division IV.