ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift won the Frosh/Soph race at the Oakmont Invitational Saturday, leading a group of four Troubadours in the Top 10 as St. Francis. She clocked a time of 14:42 to win the race by a minute, posting a time that would have been in the top five in the varsity race.

“It felt really great because I trained really hard this summer,” said Vandegrift. “It was great to see the work pay off.”

Vandegrift took over the lead early in the race and was left to pace herself with a little help.

“Well the biker kept me company so it was OK,” said Vandegrift of the pace bike out front of the field.

Sophomore Ava Nkadi was second overall (15:42), while freshman Sophie DeBenedetti was sixth overall (16:35) in her first career race. Classmate Cassidy Lourim finished eighth overall (16:41). All four Troubies received medals for their top 10 finishes.

“I thought we did great,” said Vandegrift. “I was really surprised by Sophie and Cassidy and the other girls did really well also.”

Vandegrift, who is from Elk Grove, is in her second season on the cross country team. She finished 13th at the Delta League Championships last season, 20th at the Sac-Joaquin Section championships and 93rd at the State Championships. She also played Junior Varisty soccer last season as a freshman, scoring four goals with three assists.

“Soccer is a great sport for sprinting and agility and cross country helps with my endurance,” said Vandegrift

Head Coach John DuCray was impressed with her performance.

“Sydney put the time in running 260 plus miles this summer and did a lot of soccer,” said DuCray. “It showed today with the results.”

The varsity team was led by senior Ariane Arndt with a fourth-place finish in 14:40 in the varsity race. Senior Chase Worthen crossed the line 12th overall (15:13), while senior Gabrielle Dyer was 31st in 16:08. Junior Allie Lourim was 39th (16:37) and senior Jessica Danens (16:50) was 46th.

St. Francis returns to action at the Ed Sias Invitational on Sept. 12.

Varsity Team Results (Top 5)

1. Woodcreek 72; 2. Oakridge 72; 3. Whitney 123; 4. St. Francis 129; 5. Roseville 146.

Frosh/Soph Team Results

1.St. Francis 30; 2. Oak Ridge 66; 3. Whitney 68; 4. Lincoln, 154; 5. Woodcreek 156; 6. Roseville 170; 8. El Camino 195; 9. Folsom 204; 10. Oakmont 224; 11. Mmira Loma 226.