October 13, 2025

Written by Mario Machuca

FULL RESULTS

FRESNO The Wolves traveled north to Fresno for the prestigious Clovis Invitational, one of the biggest meets in California and home to the state championship course at Woodward Park. With hopes of returning in November, both teams arrived ready to test themselves against top competition from across the state and beyond.

The day began with the Varsity Girls Division 1 race, where Elizabeth Jacklin took command from the opening gun and never looked back. Jacklin dominated the field with a decisive 27-second victory, improving on her previous time on the course and setting the tone for the rest of the team.

Jude Abu-Ghazaleh continued her breakout season with another 30-second personal best, finishing as King’s #2 runner and helping the Lady Wolves stay in contention for the win. Despite holding the lead early, the girls were edged out late by a strong Crescenta Valley squad, ultimately finishing 2nd overall. The performance, however, only fueled their fire as they look ahead to the postseason with focus and determination.

Next up came the Championship Boys Race, featuring some of the nation’s top-ranked programs. Jackson Spencer of Herriman High School (Utah), the current #1 ranked runner in the nation, entered as the heavy favorite—but King’s own Maximo Zavaleta was ready to represent California on the big stage.

In a historic showdown, Spencer shattered the course record that had stood since 2008, while Zavaleta made school history of his own. His second-place finish in 14:44 now holds the fastest time ever by a King athlete taking down Lane Werley’s state meet performance from 2010. Junior John Sosa delivered another highlight for the Wolves, running a personal best by nearly a full minute from his previous performance on the course and contributing as the team’s #4 scorer.

In the Frosh/Soph Girls Race, Betsaida Sandoval led the way, improving her time by more than 30 seconds from last year. On the Frosh/Soph Boys side, Andy Phillips impressed in his debut at Woodward Park, using an aggressive opening mile to set a strong mark in his first 5K.

The JV Girls Championship saw Sophia Balsells and Jacqueline Mendez work together throughout the race, both delivering solid performances in their first trip to Fresno. Rounding out the day, the JV Boys took to the line, led by Marc Gonzalez, who dropped 20 seconds off his season best to finish 14th overall. Smooth Watkins, Andrew Moyo, and Chase Collopy showcased the strength of the Wolfpack, finishing within six places of one another.

Overall, it was a successful weekend for the program—filled with strong performances, valuable experience, and plenty of team bonding. Both varsity squads know the next few weeks will be crucial as they prepare for the postseason and aim to return to Fresno for the state meet.

Next up: the Wolves take on the Inland Empire Championships next weekend!