November 30, 2025

Written by Mario Machuca

FULL RESULTS:   GIRLS   BOYS

FRESNO: The big dance. The California State Championships—where the best runners from every corner of the state gather for one final 5K.

The Wolves had been grinding since June for this moment. The six-hour trek to Fresno was filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of quiet excitement only a senior-heavy squad understands: this was their last ride together, and they were soaking in every second. Friday night was calm but focused. The team loaded up on carbs and protein, circled together one last time, and listened as Coach Ibarra delivered the message that had guided them all season: “You deserve to be here. Now it’s time to leave it all on the course and compete.” Underdogs or not, both teams carried the same fire. As they settled in for the night, the energy shifted—the jokes faded, the nerves settled, and the focus narrowed on what needed to be done the next morning.

The boys stepped to the line first under cool, brisk conditions. For senior Maximo Zavaleta, there was an extra layer to the day: the top five individuals would earn a ticket to Nike Cross Nationals, (LINK) and based on the season he’d been stringing together, that opportunity was very real.

When the gun cracked through the air, Maximo surged straight to the front, this time with a tight Wolfpack behind him providing the strength and belief he didn’t have a year ago. True to form, the pack held strong throughout the field, showing the trust and unity that carried them all season. Maximo battled shoulder-to-shoulder with the state’s best, hanging with a lead pack of four Division 1 giants before ultimately finishing 2nd—behind former state champion Connor Lott—and improving on his 4th-place finish from last year.

His 14:49 stood as the fourth-fastest time of the entire meet, earning him a coveted spot at Nike Cross Nationals. He becomes just the second boy in MLK history to qualify, joining Lane Werley from 2009 and 2010.

Behind him, the Wolves fought their own battles. Injuries played a role in the team score, but the highlights were powerful as senior Smooth Watkins ran the race of his life, PR’ing by nearly 30 seconds and finishing as King’s third runner. Sophomore standout Mason Stehmier showcased his grit, passing 26 athletes in the final mile and setting a massive 40-second PR in his State debut. Senior Marc Gonzalez, one of the team’s most dependable postseason racers, passed 16 runners in the last mile to PR by 30 seconds and lock down the fifth scoring spot. The boys finished 12th in California for Division 1, fighting for every point.

Next up were the girls, led by frontrunner Elizabeth Jacklin. Jacklin wasted no time, pushing herself into the lead pack and setting the tone early. Through the first mile, the Wolves were sitting sixth as a team—asserting themselves with one of their most aggressive starts of the season. Jacklin dug deep all the way to the line, finishing 14th overall, an improvement from 17th the week before and a statement performance to cap her season.

Behind her, the rest of the squad delivered gutsy efforts. Natalie Drewitz closed out her junior year with a new PR and a better finish than last year, later saying she kept telling herself simply to compete. Jude Abu-Ghazaleh, still scraped and bruised from the week prior, pushed through and finished 56th—jumping dramatically from her 93rd-place performance a year ago and earning a new PR. Senior Abbey Starling delivered the biggest jump of the day with a 50-second PR, an incredible finish to her rookie season. The girls placed 13th in Division 1, battling all the way through the final stretch.

When the dust settled, both teams had left everything out on the course. But more than times and places, the Wolves made history—becoming the first MLK squad ever to qualify both the boys and girls teams to the State Championships in the same year.

For Coach Ibarra, this was especially meaningful. This was his first full graduating class—the athletes who bought in from the very beginning, four years ago. Their journey is proof that with belief, consistency, and a whole lot of heart, a team can rise further than anyone expects.

The 2025 Wolves didn’t just run at State. They earned their place in MLK history.