Cross-Country takes Colton by Swarm

Colton, CA—After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Colton High School hosted the 52nd annual Swarm Cross-Country Invitational at Yellowjacket Stadium today.

Over 800 runners representing 29 southern California high schools competed in this event, which sounds the starter’s gun on the 2021-22 Cross-Country season.

“This is the biggest Swarm in probably 50 years since we’ve been doing this,” said Mateo Cisernos, the event’s organizer, and Assistant Coach for Colton High’s Cross-Country team.

The Swarm gives runners an opportunity to compete before official schedules begin later in September. This relaxed atmosphere places an emphasis on growth, personal improvement, and teambuilding between those wearing familiar and unfamiliar colors alike.

As temperatures climbed into the mid-90s, student-athletes took off on their three-mile races throughout the football and baseball fields, over the Yellowjacket bridge, and twice around the perimeter of Colton High before returning to the stadium for the finish line.

Cross-Country races are organized by grade level and gender, each group designated to leave 30 minutes after the previous. Team points are earned by where runners place in their respective groups.

Beaumont High School showed out strongly today, taking team victories in both Freshmen groups, 1st place in the Senior Boys group, and 2nd in the Junior Girls.

Other notable schools were San Gorgonio High (1st, Sophomore Girls), Ridgecrest High (1st, Sophomore Boys), Norte Vista High (1st, Junior Girls), Oak Hills (1st, Junior Boys), and Fontana High (1st, Senior Girls).

The Yellowjackets did not place as a team in any of the groups.

“We have a lot of new runners this year,” said Frank A. Ibarra, Cross-Country Head Coach. “This is their first big race. So far, I am very impressed and happy that they are able to finish the race.”

Standouts for Colton High were sophomore Juan Barron, who came in 12th in his race with a time of 19:19.5, and senior Alma Vasquez, who placed 15th with a time of 23:15.3.

Natalie Solis, a sophomore participating in her first Cross-Country event, was happy with her performance at today’s Swarm. “I felt like I did pretty good for me joining about a week ago.” Now she sets her eyes on “getting a better time.”

Some on the team were very nervous, like team leader Alanna Anderson. “It’s nerve-wracking! I haven’t done this in about two years,” she said. “I’m really scared about what my time’s gonna be.”

As the Yellowjackets shake off the rust and the jitters, the overall feeling for the Swarm is excitement being part of the biggest Cross-Country event in Colton High School history.

ASB Athletic Commissioner and Cross-Country Team Manager Julia Romo thinks the event has an even better future: “I think Colton can get really big.”

 

Colton High School Times

Name
Grade
Time
Place

Juan Barron
10
19:19.5
12th

Alma Vasquez
12
23:15.3
15th

Diana Vera
11
24:34.6
28th

Darius Ramos
10
25:30.3
45th

Daniel Montes
11
27:01.0
77th

Marcus Perez
10
27:03.7
53rd

Anthony Garcia
11
27:17.1
78th

Miguel Zambrano
9
29:27.2
69th

Vincent Solis
9
29:33.4
70th

Briana Ortiz
10
29:57.5
32nd

Natalie Solis
10
38:44.4
42nd

Sara Lopez-Lopez
10
38:51.7
43rd

Jennifer Puga
10
41:19.2
48th

Adrian Negrete
12
26.01.1
71st

Alanna Anderson
12
26.18.2
37th

Carlos Marariegos
9
29.15.8
65th

Brianna Jimenez
9
29.19.3
41st

 

Top Times, Boys – All Schools

Name
School
Grade
Time

Alejandro De la Torre
Jurupa Hills
12
16:00.9

Yaseen Sardar
Ridgecrest
11
16:08.4

Ernesto Ruiz
Norte Vista
12
16:33.3

Hunter Roy
Granite Hills
12
16:36.9

Sean Walker
Redlands East Valley
10
16:52.9

Marcus Shin
Beaumont
12
16:53.3

Jacob Ladd
Redlands East Valley
11
17:06.0

CJ Gonzalez
Shadow Hills
11
17:07.9

Lawrence Eastland
Beaumont
12
17:12.1

Simon Worku
Diamond Bar
11
17:14.7

 

Top Times, Girls – All Schools

Name
School
Grade
Time

Katie Hornung
Redlands East Valley
9
18:19.3

Marjourie Lopez
Shadow Hills
11
18:54.4

Leah Tomlinson
Ridgecrest
12
19:21.6

L’Mio Edwards
Diamond Bar
10
19:38.6

Meghan Walker
Redlands East Valley
9
19:57.9

Hope Brookins
Norte Vista
10
20:22.6

Brooke Beaucaire
Beaumont
12
20:28.0

Rennee Mena
Ridgecrest
9
20:40.1

Fernanda Degollado
Bloomington
12
20:48.4

Carissa Jeon
Diamond Bar
12
20:55.9