Lathrop’s flag football team remains unbeaten in the Western Athletic Conference at 3-0 after escaping Ceres with a 29-27 win on Monday.

Quarterback Luz de Luna led the Spartans (7-1 overall) with 236 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Kianna Quintero was among the top targets, as she finished with 61 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Faith Allens racked up 78 receiving yards and one touchdown. Angie Gonzales contributed a TD.

Aaliyah Thompson led the defense with six tackles and three pass breakups. Angelique Gonzales chipped in with two tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.

Lathrop’s busy week continues Wednesday with another WAC contest at Johansen. The Spartans then welcome Manteca on Thursday for a non-league, intra-district showdown.

CROSS COUNTRY

Josh Ruff Memorial Invitational

Paced by Christian Gonzalez’s top 10 finish, the Sierra boys cross country team took third out of 23 Division III-V teams Saturday at Willow Hills Reservoir in Folsom.

The Timberwolves tallied 120 points, trailing Nevada Union (106) and Chico (110).

Gonzalez came in ninth place in 17 minutes, 7.40 seconds on the 5,000-meter course. Ernesto Pacheco Jr. took 13th place in 17:53.10.

They were followed by Anthony Bueno (28th, 18:57.40), Manuel Alvarez (34th, 19:25.70) and Samuel Mortenson (68th, 20:38.90).

Sierra’s girls placed 10th out of 26. Freshman Anna Dittman led the Timberwolves, taking 31st in 21:18.80. Monse Saavedra (40th, 21:58.70) and Serena Dittman (59th, 22:46.70) were also in the top 60.

On the 3,400-meter lower-level course, Max Perez took eighth in 13:06.50, as Sierra’s frosh-soph boys came in fourth as a team in Division III-V.

Kim Duyst Invitational

Manteca senior Oscar Angel was the area standout Saturday at River Oaks Golf Course, taking third in 15:23.4. in the varsity boys race.

Isaiah Green (53rd, 16:48.4) was the top runner from Ripon, while Riley Gier (58th, 16:53.6) spearheaded Lathrop.

Jacqueline Pena Santillan of Lathrop paced area female competitors, taking 53rd in 20:56.9. Mallory Govia took 58th in 21:10.6 for Ripon. Jordyn Hegarty (67th, 21:37.2) led Manteca.

Manteca’s Paisley Coenenberg was the top lower-level performer from the area, placing seventh in 8:07.4 in the 2,000-meter, frosh-soph girls race.

BOYS WATER POLO

Ripon 18, Sonora 11

Ryan Bell scored four goals to lead a balanced attack for visiting Ripon (5-3).

Ben Svoboda dished out five assists to go with one goal and three steals. Sophomore goalie Andrew Hanker racked up eight blocks, two steals and an assist.

Other contributors for the Indians: McKeane Beier (two goals, assist, two steals), Trevor Bell (two goals, assist, block), Brody Biedermann (two goals, two assists, two steals, block), Chetan Havery (two assists), Matthew Lee (goal, assist, two steals), Deven Patel (two goals, assist), Lucas Rietkerk (two goals, assist), Boen West (goal, assist, block, steal) and Teo West (goal, two assists, two steals).

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Lathrop 3, Ceres 0

The Spartans (3-0, 7-3) made quick work of visiting Ceres, 25-7, 25-8, 25-20.

Elizabeth Andrade powered Lathrop with 10 kills, eight digs, two aces and a block. Erin Chunn (five digs, two aces) and Shakara Porter (ace) each had four kills. Annabelle Obasuyi added three kills and two blocks.

Ayden Petroff tallied 15 assists and three aces. Justine Mabutas served six aces to go with 13 digs. Annie Millan had four assists and three digs.

JV flag football

Lathrop 6, Ceres 6

The Spartans tied the game on Adamris Robles’ 68-yard reception. Quarterback Camila Salcedo threw for 156 yards, and Juliana Carillo registered six tackles on defense.

JV girls volleyball

Lathrop 2, Ceres 0

Cassidy Fa’ali’i produced 11 assists and eight assists to help the Spartans sweep, 26-24, 25-14.

Audrina Fisher paced the attack with six kills. Araya Carson chipped in four kills, two aces and a block. Taylor Johwell had three kills and four blocks.

Sarah Garcia collected eight digs and two assists.

Frosh girls volleyball

Lathrop 2, Ceres 0

Lathrop dominated, 25-8, 25-11.

Andrea Lemus posted three kills, three aces and four digs. Melodee Contreras fired six aces.

Alexza Bringas handed out eight assists, while Lilyanna Murillo picked up five digs.