For the second straight year, the Deer Valley High boys cross country team finished first at the Bay Valley Athletic League championship meet, held at Contra Loma Park in Antioch.

The Wolverines finished with the top score of 40. Pittsburg placed second with 66, Heritage third with 71, and Liberty fourth with 81, Freedom fifth with 112 and Antioch sixth with 161.

Deer Valley’s Paul Matejcek was the first to cross the finish line. Fellow Wolverine Dylan Winn placed second and the Patriots’ Noah Peña took third.

“It’s been a lot of work,” said Deer Valley head coach Dave Bartholomew. “The kids were very faithful to the program.”

In the girls race, Freedom came up first with a score of 57. Deer Valley placed second with 60, Pittsburg third with 65, Antioch fourth with 80, Liberty fifth with 104, and Heritage sixth with 129.

The Falcons’ Carmen Martinez was the top overall finisher. Teammate Lisa Tilcock placed second and Pittsburg’s Christina Georgopoulos finished third.

“I wasn’t expecting it, so I’m completely proud of them,” said Freedom head coach Alicia Wiley. “It’s been a goal for (Martinez) to win all year, because she got second last year. For Lisa, I knew she could get in the top 10, but I didn’t think second place.”

The North Coast Section meet will be held Nov. 20 at Hayward High School.