CROSS COUNTRY
HEMET It’s one thing to maybe go out on a date or take in a movie together to nurture a young relationship. Apparently, Beaumont’s Andres Vizcarra and Kaailie Grimes go out and dominate cross country meets for a good time. Vizcarra, a senior, and Grimes, a junior, swept their way to huge wins Saturday at the Bulldog Invitational, as both won their respective junior-senior races by more than 30 seconds at the annual invite at Diamond Valley Lake. And yes, they are boyfriend and girlfriend. “We just like to keep each other motivated,” said Vizcarra, who is off to a sizzling start this season and ran the course in 14 minutes, 52.14 seconds Saturday morning – his second consecutive invitational win. “As good as anyone can be, you can sometimes doubt yourself.” There’s no doubting these two, and there’s really no doubting Beaumont’s boys program, which opened eyes by placing second in the rated race at the Woodbridge Invitational last week and has established itself as one of the area’s top programs behind Temecula Great Oak and Fontana Jurupa Hills. The Cougars are ranked No. 4 in the Inland area and will no longer surprise anybody. “Especially on the boys side,” Beaumont coach Brandon Tedrow said. “They know it now.” Beaumont topped the overall standings on the boys side with 52 points but got a valiant challenge from Hemet, which was second with 58 and was led by senior Jayden Emerson (second, 15:29.62). The two teams will face off at the first of the Mountain Pass League meets Thursday. “I do feel good about today,” Hemet coach Janice Kelley said. “It’s nice to be that close to Beaumont.” Grimes took control of the girls junior-senior race early and led throughout, finishing in 17:39.25, a couple of seconds off of her time from last year. She was happy with the win, but determined to keep driving to improve, perhaps still fueled by missing the state championship meet last year by one place. “I just like to do the best I can,” she said. “I do get upset when the time is a little slower, because I want to push harder.” Temecula Chaparral, which had nine of the top 15 girls times Saturday – including senior Chandler Kerr, who placed fifth overall in 18:43.85 – won the combined team title with 42 points. Beaumont was second with 71. Hemet, led by senior Taylore Cantu’s second-place overall finish (18:15.20) was third. Temecula Linfield junior Brianna Wilson was third in 18:41.37. CONTACT THE WRITER: [email protected]