GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - After 7 months of conditioning and waiting for the green light from CIF and the health department, the Gridley Bulldogs were good to go for their first meet of the school year. It was an epic meet as Cross Country was the first sport approved in our county to compete after all sports were canceled in March of 2020. “I’m so excited for today,” 4th-year runner and team captain, Damian Mendoza explained minutes before the gun. “It feels good to be out here.” Mendoza finished the 5K race 3rd (20:12) followed by freshman Cesareo Villalobos (20:31) and Gordon Labuff (20:39), 4th & 5th. The varsity squad also consists of Emmanuel Hernandez Guiterrez, (21:29), 7th, and rounding out the 10th spot was Cesar Zepeda Martinez (24:16). Other finishers were Geovannie Gutierrez (29:47), Tyler Owens (32:50), and Jerricho Spade (35:06).

Varsity Girls did not field a full team. Janessa Delgado (Frosh) finished 3rd overall (23:48) and Giselle Fuentes 5th (25:24) also a first-year runner. Both runners joined the team just two days ago. Junior runner, Alejandra Rodriguez Saldate placed 10th overall with 32:29 over the 5K course.

Adam Khan was the lone competitor for the boy's frosh/soph 2.6-mile course. He finished in 24:52. Other GHS girls team members included Angela Gutierrez (27:58), Estrella Favian Mora (34:51), and Denise Bonner (35:55).