Though the Bay Valley Athletic League will not enter a cross country runner at the state meet, a few bright spots for East County teams emerged at the recent North Coast Section Championship Meet.

On a muddy course, Freedom sophomore Lisa Tilcock was the first BVAL runner to cross the finish line at last weekend’s meet, held at Hayward High. Tilcock completed the three-mile course in 19 minutes, 11 seconds, finishing 12th overall.

Pittsburg senior Marcie Torres was the next BVAL finisher, placing 15th with a time of 19:29. League MVP Carmen Martinez, a Freedom senior, crossed the line 17th in 19:36.

Granada, from Livermore, took the top spot with a low of 42 points. The Falcons were the best girls team in the BVAL that day, finishing 10th with 242 points. Pittsburg placed 12th, Deer Valley 13th, Antioch 16th and Heritage 17th.

In the boys race, De La Salle took home the top spot. Liberty finished 12th, Heritage 13th, Deer Valley 15th, Pittsburg 17th, Freedom 18th and Antioch 20th.

“I think that they did as well as they could have done,” said Patriot head coach Jennifer DeRego. “It was just a bad day weather-wise.”

A BVAL boys runner didn’t cross the finish line until Deer Valley senior and league MVP Paul Matejcek placed 36th with a time of 17:26. Right behind him was junior teammate Dylan Winn, finishing 37th.

Pittsburg sophomore Edgar Martinez was the top Pirate, placing 42nd. Liberty was led by junior Jesus Morales in 43rd. The best Heritage runner that day was senior Eric Morford, placing 44th.

TOP BVAL TIMES

BOYS

36. Paul Matejcek, Deer Valley, 17:26

37. Dylan Winn, Deer Valley, 17:28

42. Edgar Martinez, Pittsburg, 17:32

43. Jesus Morales, Liberty, 17:32

44. Eric Morford, Heritage, 17:34

48. Noah Pena, Heritage, 17:41

54. Gabriel Rodriguez, Pittsburg, 17:50

57. Joshua Noriega, Liberty, 17:51

58. Michael Valdez, Freedom, 17:54

65. Joey Fajardo, Freedom, 18:10

GIRLS

12. Lisa Tilcock, Freedom, 19:11

15. Marcie Torres, Pittsburg, 19:29

17. Carmen Martinez, Freedom, 19:36

34. Cora Williams, Liberty, 20:17

40. Christina Georgopoulos, Pittsburg, 20:30

42. Jessica Siemens, Deer Valley, 20:32

52. Stephanie Siemens, Deer Valley, 21:18

53. Alissa Hansen, Liberty, 21:20

59. Mariam Issa, Deer Valley, 21:38

66. Fionna Lehmann, Freedom, 21:45