FRESNO – As fast as they run on the track, the Immanuel Eagles cross country team is establishing a legacy of success that rivals other, top-tier programs in the state.
Despite a muddy and treacherous course at the 2025 CIF Central Section Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park on Nov. 20, Immanuel’s boys and girls refused to slow down.
Coming off their fourth consecutive Tri-County Conference (TCC) Title, the Eagles cleaned house and made quick work of the competition. And just like last season, the Eagles soared high and mighty above the rest of the field.
Competing in Division 5, the Eagles’ girls bagged an impressive team score of 20 in the 5,000 meter race, swooping past Fresno Christian, who finished with final team score of 51. As for the individual races, Immanuel placed an impressive six runners in the top 10.
Seniors Clara Riddle, Alexandra (Lexi) Scharmann and sophomore Ashlyn Lloyd all placed in the top three of the individual field in the 5,000 meter. Riddle dashed her way to an impressive final time of 18:35.07 and Lloyd was right on her tail with a final time of 18:46.08. As for Schartmann, her final time of 19:13.04 was good enough for a fourth place finish.
This is the second consecutive Valley title for the Immanuel girls. They also claimed the 2024 Central Section D V Title, with seven athletes finishing in the top 10.
The Immanuel boys upped the ante by snatching away a team title in the 5,000 meter boys. The leaderboard had a holy feel to it as the Eagles’ boys finished with an impressive team score of 49. Fresno Christian (55) and Central Valley Christian (88) round out the top three team scores.
The Eagles’ boys individual runners placed second, third and fourth in the 5,000 meter individual heats. The trio of Koen Ensz, Jace Wilgenberg and Reid Bishel all finished behind each other, separated by just a few extra sprints. Ensz finished in second place with a time of 16:08.91. Wilgenberg finished at 16:33.37 and Bishel was barely behind him with a time of 16:35.44.
Reedley runners impress in Division 3
The Reedley Pirates boys team felt a little savvy in the Central Section Division 3 5,000 meter race.
The Pirates team stood proud on the podium with an impressive team score of 69. San Luis Obispo (55) and Del Oro (56) managed to stay at the head of the line, finishing in first and second. Reedley also had three runners finish among the top 10 individual scores.
Mauricio Herrera, who entered this competition as one of the Section’s best runners in this race, finished just 14 seconds behind the leader, Noel Huato (15:35.39) of Del Oro. Herrera still collected an impressive final time of 15:49.47. Herrera’s fellow Pirates’ shipmates, Justin Villa and Jonavan Munos also impressed on the track.
Villa finished seventh at 16:19.72 and Munos wasn’t too far behind him at 16:32.57.
Herrera’s time is good enough to advance to the CIF State Championships back at Woodward Park on Nov. 29.
