Jex battles slippery conditions at Mt. SAC as a result of rain, but adds to freshman and sophomore victories by winning small school junior race in 10:33.1 for fastest overall mark, with Chaffey’s Reza also repeating in large school junior competition in 10:38.1; Osorio leads all female athletes with 12:08.2 effort in small school sophomore triumph

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

WALNUT, Calif. – No matter the uniform, the course length or the weather, Kael Jex continues to add to his impressive resume at the Fastback Invitational.

Jex, an 11th-grader at Big Bear High in California, won for the third consecutive year at the season-opening meet at Mt. San Antonio College, prevailing in the small school junior boys race Saturday by covering the 1.7-mile layout in 10 minutes, 33.1 seconds to achieve the fastest performance among the athletes from all races combined.

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS

Jex, wearing a unique yellow defending champion kit awarded to him by meet officials instead of the usual red, white and black uniform showcased by Big Bear competitors, dealt with unusual conditions for early September in California.

After last year’s event had several races shortened as a result of the heat index with temperatures approaching 100 degrees, Saturday’s schedule featured intermittent rain, resulting in muddy and slippery conditions on the Valley Loop, Switchbacks and Poop-Out Hill, as well as slick asphalt in certain areas of National Guard Alley and the Airstrip.

Jex remained patient early in the race, before surging late to pull away from Simi Valley’s Elijah Rojas (10:42.9) and maintain his unbeaten streak at the Fastback Invitational, including victories as a freshman and sophomore.

Daniel Reza of Chaffey High in California, also wearing a yellow defending champion kit, triumphed in the boys large school junior race in 10:38.1, the second-fastest time overall behind Jex. Ethan Kwong of Fountain Valley was second in 10:51.6, the No. 5 overall performance on the day.

Jex and Reza were among 15 male athletes to eclipse the 11-minute barrier across eight combined boys races.

Becky Osorio, a 10th-grader at West Covina High in California, was victorious in the girls small school sophomore race in 12:08.2, the fastest female effort of the meet.

Abigail Feldman of Mater Dei won the girls large school sophomore race in 12:23.3, the second-fastest female mark from seven combined races overall, as 10 athletes ran under the 13-minute barrier.

Feldman also helped Mater Dei produce the best team performance, as the Monarchs top five competitors combined for 125 points.

Rancho Cucamonga produced the top boys team result, with the Cougars’ top five athletes combining for 87 points, led by ninth-grader Prince Watkins, who won the large school freshman race in 10:51.0 for the fourth-fastest performance overall at the event.

Chaffey, Rowland and Bonita all produced multiple individual winners during the 16-race schedule.

Elena Martinez of Chaffey won the girls combined small school and large school senior race in 12:23.8.

Yolo Javier of Laguna Beach placed second in 12:39.4 and was the top small school competitor in the field.

Rowland opened and closed the meet with victories, capped by Jarron Chua rallying to win the boys small school senior race in 10:53.2, with Jacob Arroyo of Simi Valley placing second in 10:55.3.

Malana Wien prevailed in her high school debut for the Raiders in the girls small school freshman competition in 13:39.8.

Bonita took the top two spots in the boys small school freshman race, with Leonard Arias emerging victorious in 11:26.5 and Charlie Zhou finishing second in 11:36.5.

Kyra Loza earned the win in the girls small school junior race for the Bearcats, clocking 13:23.9.

Sydney Rubio was the top ninth-grade competitor, winning the girls large school freshman race in 12:28.0, the fourth-fastest time overall at the meet.

Elizabeth Palmer of Yucaipa High in California achieved the top 11th-grade performance, securing victory in the girls large school junior race in 13:21.4.

Luke Lopez from Eastvale Roosevelt in California was the fastest 10th-grader with his winning effort of 10:56.4 in the boys large school sophomore race.

Troy Turner of Mission Viejo in California triumphed in the boys small school sophomore race in 10:58.8, holding off Thomas Mach of Arroyo in 10:59.3.

Martin Torres-Sandoval from La Quinta in California won the boys large school senior race in 11:03.7.