As Vista del Lago cross country coach Mike Livingston put it, the school’s varsity boys cross country team has put themselves on the local high school cross country map.

The Eagles opened the season by placing fourth in the Del Oro Invitational held Thursday in Loomis. Matt Winkler and Riley Martin led the squad, placing fourth and fifth in13 minutes, 32 seconds and 13:45, respectively. Rounding out the scorers included Zach Jaeger (13th, 14:05), David Howell (18th, 14:26) and Bobby Melchin (44th, 16:08). Mitch Thompson also placed 47th in 16:15.

“This is in no small part a direct result of a lot of hard work and dedication amongst these young men,” Livingston said. “We have a long way to go and a lot of work left to do, but I thought this was a very good start to the season.”

Madeleine Ankhelyi led the varsity girls, placing fourth in 15:35, following three Granite Bay runners. Vista placed fourth overall behind Granite Bay, St. Francis and Del Oro. Also running for the Eagles included medallist Jen Morgan (13th, 16:30), Jennifer Arbaugh (21st, 17:08), Robin Sarkasian (24th, 17:16) and Hannah Osuna (29th, 17:54). Chelsea Gorman also placed 43rd in 19:45.

At the freshman-sophomore level, Vista medallists included Dali Alarian (7th, 17:24), Allegra Mendez (11th, 17:51) and Liz Anderson (12th, 18:02).