Van Dyke Wins Palomar Invitational
The Gauchos started their 2008 season ready to build on last year. Saddleback.
Returning sophomore, Matthew Van Dyke from Vista entered the Palomar Invitational last Friday never ranking higher than second as an individual in an event.
Van Dyke got second place finish at Bakersfield in his freshmen season.
That holds true no longer as Van Dyke won the individual at the Palomar Invitational.
His efforts helped the Gauchos earn second place in the event as a team.
Van Dyke by finished with a time of 21:34 over the four mile course. His teammate Bobby Stangl, a sophomore from San Clemente High School placed fourth in the event out of 52 runners, his time was 21:47.
While coming in eighth place with a time 22:40 was freshmen AJ Kimura. Southwestern College won the Invitational with 44 points overall while Saddleback finished with 49 points.
Coming in third was Cuyamaca which finished with 83 points.
On the Women’s trail, the Gaucho’s, only raced four runners in which they did not receive a team score because according to rules, a team must have five runners to receive a team score.
San Clemente freshmen Kelley Breen placed seventh overall in the event with a 21:04 time on a five-kilometer course.
In ironic fashion the twins, Christina and Rebbeca Cain finished 11th and 12th in the event only 11 seconds apart with scores of 21:45 and 21:56.
Christina finishing 11th and Rebecca finishing 12th in the event.The Gauchos look to take the next step after finishing so close as a team to win the Palomar Invitational.
With a nice mix of veterans and rookies the gauchos look to take †he OEC this fall.
Next up for the Gauchos cross country team will be this Saturday at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. The event will start at 9 a.m.