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Sports - High Schools

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Hughson's Hobby, Escalon's Barnum claim TVL crowns

High School Cross Country

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Becky Hobby failed to reach her goal of breaking the 19-minute barrier in Wednesday's Trans-Valley League cross country championships at Legion Park.

It was as close to failure as she came in the latest in a season's worth of fantastic performances that carried the Hughson High sophomore to the TVL individual crown.

Escalon's Matt Barnum won the boys' championship, holding off Riverbank's Alex Reyes, and helped his Cougars claim the team title, ending Riverbank's four-year TVL reign.

Hobby, who ran the 3.1-mile course in 19 minutes, 9 seconds, won for the sixth time in six meets this season.

"It was great," said a smiling Hobby when asked about the windy conditions that were no match for her.

"I can't wait for Frogtown (site of next Saturday's Sac-Joaquin Sub-Section meet). "That's the new fun race."

Escalon's Pearl Rivers was second, finishing 22 seconds off Hobby's pace.

"It was me and Pearl. When we reached the mile marker, I just went for it and said, 'Bring it on, wind,' " said Hobby.

Riverbank won the girls team title.

Barnum won in 16:35, with Reyes finishing second at 16:48.

"It's really exciting," Barnum said moments after helping his teammates give unsuspecting Cougars coach Rick Heflin a ceremonial water cooler bath.

"It's our first TVL title; I've waited four years for this."

Barnum made his move at the race's midpoint and didn't look back.

"I could hear Alex breathing hard behind me, and I didn't want to slow down and give him a chance," said Barnum.