Palomar Comets Sophomore Jessica Steinhoff ran her way to victory, claiming the team’s first individual victory this season at the Palomar Invitational at Guajome Park in Oceanside.
With a leading time of 20:08, Steinhoff was one of two Comets to place in the top five in the women’s meet. Jessica Betancourt placed fourth with a time of 20:55, barely trailing behind the second and third place finishers. Alethea Streeter from Fullerton Community College finished second with a 20:24 finishing time, while Azahalea Vazquez from Santa Ana Community College took third place with a time of 20:34.
In the team championship, Fullerton defeated Palomar 43-34. Rounding out the top five was Santa Ana (65 points), Imperial Valley (82) and San Diego City College (119 points).
On the men’s side, Palomar finished fifth in team scoring with 119 points, trailing behind champion Saddleback College, Cuyamaca College, Fullerton and Santa Ana. San Diego City College finished behind Palomar, while two teams (Imperial Valley and Victor Valley) didn’t have enough runners to compete.
Matthew Bellah was Palomar’s top finisher on the men’s side, finishing in 17th place with a time of 22:45.