Benito Pushes Panthers into Top Three at Preview Meet

With another week of training under his belt, last year's fourth place Norcal finisher Moises Benito continues to improve in his sophomore year as leader of the 2023 Panthers. With his third place finish at the George Brooks Invitational, the Panthers were able to place third as a team defeating conference foe De Anza College and perennial regional powerhouse American River College. The Panthers were just 7 points from second place Chabot College who has emerged as a potential threat to a two year string of Coast Conference titles. 

Knowing the most challenging part of the Hidden Valley Park course came in the final 800 meters, Benito set the early tempo of the 4.07 mile course. Along with Antoine Moret of De Anza College, Benito faced Daniel Gonzalez of San Joaquin Delta College for the first time. Gonzalez would assert himself into the lead just before the 3 mile mark but Benito would continue to lead Moret into the final hll on the course. Despite finishing three seconds behind this time in 21:42, Benito has closed the gap to Moret in just one week after finishing 20 seconds behind him at the Monterey Bay Invitational last week. Mario Avila knows how to compete in regional championship races, having earned All-Region honors in 2021. Avila moved all the way up to sixth overall finishing the course in 22:09. Freshman Elijah Melchor had another oustanding race finishing thirteen in 22:37 in his run on the course. Kaimana Cantere (23:44) and Emiliano Ramirez (23:47) finished 37th and 38th to finish the Panther scoring. Maximo Puga (24:20) found himself inside the top 7 for the third consecutive race with freshman Carlos Hernandez (24:32) making his first top 7 debut. 

The Panthers will enjoy a short week and compete on Thursday, September 28th at the Chabot Twilight. This unique event will allow the Panthers to choose from a 3000m or 5000m race on the track. 

Hartnell Results:

3. Moises Benito 21:42
6. Mario Avila 22:09
13. Elijah Melchor 22:37
37. Kaimana Cantere 23:44
38. Emiliano Ramirez 23:47
52. Maximo Puga 24:20
58. Carlos Hernandez 24:32
60. Leonardo Diaz 24:35
62. Juan Gonzalez 24:39
63. Gael Godinez 24:41
64. Jacob Dizon 24:42
68. Neke Perez 24:52
73. Diego Villegas 24:57
80. Axel Sanchez 25:06
103. Josue Macias 26:03
107. Galen Okamoto 26:10
108. Carlos Rangel 26:13
109. Malachi Cruz 26:19
111. Arturo Melgoza 26:22
113. Marcus Serrano 26:44
116. Carlos Espinoza 26:57
120. Imanol De Jesus 27:51
122. Noe Torres 28:11
124. Richard Cimientos 28:23
127. Bernabe Munoz 28:40
129. Rafael Jacobo 28:47
133. Wilbert Perez 29:53