By Robert Balajadia

JFK Islander Elijah Reyes finished over 30 seconds faster than his previous meet, his best of the season.

The hot midday sun couldn’t slow down the JFK Islanders cross-country team Thursday afternoon with the top seven spots secured by the Islander runners in their win over the combined FD Friars/Academy Cougars squad, the ‘Frougars’.

JFK won the meet for the boys and girls both in dominating fashion by a score of 15-50 for both divisions.

Islander junior Elijah Reyes topped all runners after completing the course around the JFK track with a time of 18:59, which is a new personal best for Reyes this season after running a 19:29 in the season opener against the Sanchez Sharks.

“The credit for our runs all go out our coach and this team has great chemistry and we all work real well together. We as a team have progressed and we always try our best.”

“We’re hitting a good groove early this season, but we haven’t faced the other schools yet so we don’t really know where we stand. We just have to make sure we’re always on our toes,” continued Reyes.

For the girls, Islander Maria Ollet completely outdid herself since Monday’s season opener running a 22:51 compared to her 25:16.

Ollet is a three year veteran for the Islanders and she’s ready to help take lead of her team after learning from the leaders before her, like former JFK cross-country and track star Alison Bowman.

Islander Maria Ollet blazed through her Meet 1 time, finishing almost two minutes faster in Meet 2.

“Now that our former leaders are gone, we former followers have to become the leaders. We also have to inspire our current followers to eventually become leaders when we’re gone! We’re doing good and we’re training real hard, I think we’ll still be there as one of the top teams in the end,” said Ollet.

Top 7 Male Finishers

1) JFK Islanders, Elijah Reyes – 18:59
2) JFK Islanders, John Conducto -19:59
3) JFK Islanders, Beato Manglona – 20:08
4) JFK Islanders, Joshua Tingson – 20:22
5) JFK Islanders, Patrick Marquez – 20:40
6) JFK Islanders, Karl Joshua Almoite – 20:44
7) JFK Islanders, William Belger – 21:21

Top 3 Female Finishers

1) JFK Islanders, Maria Ollet – 22:51
2) JFK Islanders, Genina Criss-Piolo – 24:06
3) JFK Islanders, Kaitlyn Calma – 24:16

PHOTO GALLERY:

JFK Islander Elijah Reyes comes in as the first finisher of the meet. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Basketball star Billy Belger adds a new skill to his arsenal, running alongside teammate Orion Kurang. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islander Beato Manglona stomps through the jungle area after the first lap around the course. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islander Maria Ollet finds herself in the middle of the pack amidst the blazing heat. (photo by Robert Balajadia)