LOWER LAKE — With the only complete teams in the field, the Middletown Mustangs boys and girls notched Coastal Mountain Conference cross country wins Wednesday afternoon against Clear Lake and Willits at the 2.9-mile Six Sigma Ranch and Winery course near Lower Lake.

Mendocino also two boys compete in the meet, including Hector Alanis, who had the top boys time and best time overall at 17 minutes, 17 seconds.

Middletown's Evan Macklin crosses the finish line. (Bob Minenna/Record-Bee)

The meet was originally scheduled to go out of the Highland Springs course just south of Lakeport, the home course of the Clear Lake Cardinals, but they were unable to secure the facility so the meet was moved to Six Sigma, the home course for both Middletown and Lower Lake. It was the Mustangs' third appearnce there this season and Middletown head coach Taylor Tiraterra said most of his runners posted personal bests on the course.

"Just about everyone got faster times today," Tiraterra said, adding that race conditions were ideal with the temperature in the mid-80s. "That's the coolest it's been here during our races this season."

As has become a custom this season, a single race was held featuring both boys and girls.

Xander Romero of Middletown was next across the finish line at 18:27 while Clear Lake's Hannah Garrity came in third overall and was first among the competing girls at 18:42, her fourth win in as many races this season.

Middletown's Evan Macklin (19:03) and Parker Boden (19:21) rounded out the top five for overall best times.

"We share him (Macklin) with the soccer team," Tiraterra said. "He is a superb runner and we're lucky to have him."

Tiraterra also had high praise for the sophomore Garrity, who kept up with Alanis and Romero most of the way.

"She was third overall and right there with the top boys," Tiraterra said. "I really hope she continues (running) at a higher level when she's done with high school."

Other top-finishing boys were Daniel LaCount of Willits (20:16), Wylie Bendfield of Mendocino (20:38), Westin Bendfield of Mendocino (21:11), Bailey Anderson of Mendocino (21:15), and Bryton Caviness of Middletown (21:36).

Girls

After Clear Lake's Garrity among the competing girls, Nicole Pyzer of Middletown had the next best time at 21:12, Willits' Nicole Keough finished in 21:45, Middletown's Maya Leonard clocked in at 22:18, Savannah Lewis of Willits finished in 23:17, and Cat and Issy Barriga of Middletown crossed the line in 24:18 and 25:30, respectively.

Mendocino's Bailey Anderson (far left), Middletown's Nicole Pyzer and Mendocino's Westin Bendfield take aim on the finish line.

"I love our girls team," Tiraterra said. "We've got some great runners and we're only going to get better this season and in the future."

Improvement

While nearly every Middletown runner in the field improved on his/her time at Six Sigma, the biggest improvement went to one of the Mustangs' newest runners, Dean McComas, who had the 12th-best time overall and finished 10th among the boys at 21:42.

Middletown's Bryton Caviness pumps his fist after crossing the finish line.

"He did great," Tiraterra said.

Romero finished second overall and among the boys despite taking a spill on the course, according to Tiraterra.

Final home meet

Middletown's final home meet of the fall 2021 season is next Wednesday at Six Sigma where the Mustangs once again host Clear Lake and Willits.

Tiraterra said the team's five seniors will be honored as part of the day's activities.