Once again, senior Avery Lopez of Belen Jesuit Prep crossed the finish line first with a notable time of 15:58. Bolting ahead at the sound of the gun, Lopez didn’t let the rocky trail stop him from finishing the race just as strong.

Lopez teammates Fabian Tomas, Michael Magoulas, Ryan Rodriguez, Osiel Gonzalez, Alexander Isaac and Diego Rojo followed behind him, all placing in top 15, sealing another stress-free victory for the nationally ranked team.

Though Lopez has had an impressive season so far, he is not getting complacent. Lopez’s focus is on winning the individual state title.

“I have a lot of work to put in because I know there are a lot of guys gunning for me so I will continue to work hard,” Lopez said.

Belen Jesuit Prep won with 19 points. Runner-up Miami Columbus finished with 55 points, and Ferguson took third place with 113.

Ferguson secured the girls’ team title led by another strong performance by junior Katrina Santiago, who won the individual title in 19:33.25. Teammate Aylwyn Hernandez ran a time of 19:50.10 to finish second. The Falcons edged Lourdes, who finished second with 58 points. Carrollton and Coral Reef finished tied for third with 125.

Girls’ team scores: 1. Ferguson 22; 2. Lourdes 58; 3. Carrollton 125; 4. Coral Reef 125; 5. South Dade 143; 6. Ransom Everglades 170.

Girls’ individual results: 1. Katrina Santiago (FER) 19:33.25; 2. Aylwyn Hernandez (FER) 19:50.10; 3. Lourdes Brea (LOU) 19:54.72; 4. Lauren Gavulic (FER) 20:14.23; 5. Samara Taylor (CR) 20:24.18; 6. Sophia Miguez (CAR) 20:30.51; 7. Stephanie de la Guarda (FER) 20:41.81; 8. Emily Hernandez (FER) 20:46.68; 9. Madison Fernandez (LOU) 20:48.61; 10. Sofia Fernandez (StB) 20:49.76; 11. Barbra Vilson (SD) 20:54.98; 12. Molly Price (LOU) 20:56.51; 13. Bianca Barrios (LOU) 21:05.11; 14. Vanessa Bernal (FER) 21:08.03; 15. Kassandra Blandon (MB) 21:14.22.

Boys’ team scores: Belen 19, Columbus 55, Ferguson 113, Ransom 129, Coral Reef 205, Coral Park 213, Varela 241, Coral Gables 295, Sunset 298, South Dade 305 – Individual Results: 1. Avery Lopez (BEL) 15:58.23, 2. Fabian Tomas (BEL) 16:13.05, 3. Danny Fernandez (COL) 16:20.65, 4. Michael Magoulas (BEL) 16:40.15, 5. Ryan Rodriguez (BEL) 16:50.34, 6. Marcus Smith (CC)16:54.69, 7. Fabian Delgado (KIL) 16:57.12, 8. Osiel Gonzalez (BEL)17:00.24, 9. Danny Linares (COL) 17:02.71, 10. Pedro Hernandez (COL) 17:07.31, 11. Alexander Isaac (BEL) 17:08.92, 12. Diego Rojo (BEL) 17:10.66, 13. Gaby Correa (RAN) 17:11.57, 14. Angelous Serna (VAR) 17:16.06, 15. Santiago Saiki (FER) 17:17.21.

BOWLING

Ferguson’s Melissa Perez wanted to beat the boys at the Youth Fair Bowling tournament Friday. With scores of 226, 244 and 203, the senior accomplished her goal, bowling the highest series in the event. Perez, arguably the best female youth bowler in South Florida, bested the highest boys’ series total by seven pins.

“I was trying to compete with the guys,” she said. “I actually beat them.”

Killian freshman Charlie Forero had the highest game and series for the boys. Forero bowled a high-game 279 and a 666 high series. The freshman beat Miami Christian’s Alex Yaniz by four pins. Forero came close to bowling his first perfect game to start the tournament. Forero scored a spare in the fifth frame, his only blemish of the game.