By: CAMERON ASHFORD
Staff Writer
Since the Tulare and Visalia teams switched leagues, this year will mark El Diamante’s first shot at an EYL Championship title for Cross Country. For 20 years EDHS Cross Country competed in the WYL Championship race. This year marks a huge switch up while El Diamante receives two new league opponents: Porterville High School and Monache High School. This year’s race will consist of a flat 5,000-meter race around the dusty edges of Mooney’s Grove Park. There are several curves, multiple shallow spans, and a 250-meter straightaway at the final stretch. Although the course is generally flat, many individuals have identified it to be quite the challenge. The top 3 men prospects for El Diamante are Devin Ibarra with a 16:24.0 minute 5,000-meter season record, Beckham Ybarra with a 16:48.0 minute 5,000-meter season record, and Joshua Onstott with an 18:05.6 minute 5,000-meter season record. The top 3 women prospects for El Diamante are Brooklyn Bawanan with a 19:39.2 minute 5,000-meter season record, Kaimely Bawanan with a 20:36.0 minute 5,000-meter season record, and Carmen Gaebe with a 20:59.7 minute 5,000-meter season record. As of the moment, El Diamante’s Men’s team is 2nd in the league and El Diamante’s Women’s team is 1st in the league. If you’re planning on attending the meet, it’s on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 10th.