SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country program had a strong opening meet, taking a pair of team and individual titles at the Oakmont Invitational at Maidu Park.

Senior Lauren LaRocco won the individual title for the second consecutive season with a career-best 14:02 over the 4-kilometer course.

“I am glad I have improved since last year,” said LaRocco. “The course felt short and that is good because we will be moving up to 5K. It was still a lot flatter than most of the courses we will run so it was good to ease into some of the hills.”

The Troubadours won the varsity race with 27 points, placing five student-athletes in the top 10 and three in the top five. Senior Madison Rawson was third overall in 14:29 with junior Miranda Myers close behind in fifth in a time of 14:46.

“It is a good first meet to have and helps us build up as they get harder throughout the year,” said Rawson. “Our whole team really proved ourselves this year and the summer training paid off.”

Junior Camille Boudreaux crossed the line eighth in the varsity race in 15:39, while Mallory Shingle was 10th (15:42). Junior Chloe Kardasopoulos was 12th overall.

“The varsity had a good first test,” said assistant coach Mason Myers. “Our top six had very solid performances. Lauren reset the course record on a modified course. It was a great effort by her and she had to have a lot of motivation internally.”

St. Francis won the varsity team title for the third consecutive season, placing ahead of Whitney, Del Campo and Pleasant Grove.

“One of things that kept me going was hearing “St Francis” everywhere and all the St. Francis athletes up at the front,” said LaRocco. “It hopefully sets the tone for the rest of the season that we have a lot more wins to come.”

St. Francis also won the junior varsity title with a perfect score 15 as the Troubies claimed the top five spots in the race behind winner Ariel Medina (16:31). The frosh/soph squad was second overall behind Oak Ridge.

The Troubadours return to action in two weeks at the Ed Sias Invitational on Sept. 14. St. Francis ranked among the top 15 nationally in preseason polls by both the NHSCA and DyeStat.com.

Oakmont Invitational

Maidu Park, Roseville, Calif.

Varsity Team Results

1. St. Francis  27
2. Whitney  51
3. Del Campo  98
4. Pleasant Grove 138
5. Roseville 155
6. Folsom 157
7. Cosumnes Oaks 174
8. Franklin  180
9. Oakmont  211
10. Casa Robles 259
11. Elk Grove 268
St. Francis Varsity Individual Results

1. Lauren LaRocco   14:02
3. Madison Rawson 14:29
5. Miranda Myers 14:46
8. Camille Boudreaux   15:39
10. Mallory Shingle 15:42
12. Chloe Kardasopoulos 15:54
Junior Varsity Team Results

1. St. Francis 15
2. Oak Ridge   62
3. Del Campo 76
4. Pleasant Grove 86
Junior Varsity Individual Results (Top 5)

1. Ariel Medina 16:31
2. Megan Vollmer 18:02
3. Macie Tanaka  18:07
4. Maddy Strong 18:14
5. Amanda Larivee  18:23
Frosh/Soph Team Results

1. Oak Ridge   35
2. St. Francis 57
3. Elk Grove 99
3. Whitney 99
5. Del Campo 153
6. Cosumnes Oaks  155
7. Folsom  156
8. Pleasant Grove   197
9. Oakmont  198
10. Colfax 261
Frosh/Soph Individual Results (Top 5)

2. Chase Worthen  15:57
10. Ariane Arndt  16:58
15. Gabrielle Dyer 17:15
16. Allie Lourim 17:17
17. Juliet Batturaro 17:18