FOLSOM, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team placed three runners in the top five but was edged by Davis for the Sac-Joaquin Section title in a close race Saturday at Willow Hills Reservoir.

Davis scored 37 points to 43 for St. Francis to claim the team title. Woodcreek finished third to round out the three qualifiers for the CIF State Championships from the section.

“I am really proud of the team because we were the underdogs going into the race,” said senior Lauren LaRocco. “We really fought hard. People did not think it was going to be this close. We were right there so it is really exciting for state.”

LaRocco was second overall to Davis’ Fiona O’Keeffe in a personal-best 17:45 at the course.

“I tried to run my own race and to stay up there with her,” said LaRocco. “It was more to do whatever I can for the team.”

The two top runners in the section will face off again in two weeks.

“Taking nothing away from Fiona, she is phenomenal athlete,” said Myers. “Lauren should be very proud of her performance.”

Junior Miranda Myers was fourth overall in 18:28, finishing second on the team.

“Miranda had a pretty good focus coming into today’s meet,” said Myers. “She had a plan to stay with the No. 2 girl from Davis and she hung on for as long as she could.”

Senior Madison Rawson was the third finisher for St. Francis in fifth overall with a time of 18:31. Junior Peyton Bilo was 13th overall in 19:43, while Ariel Medina was the final scorer for the team in 20:06 and 22nd.  Chase Worthen crossed in 20:21 in 28th.

“Several of the girls set PRs and we are excited about getting second and moving on to the state meet in two weeks,” said Myers. “We will match-up well with Davis again.”

Junior Camille Boudreaux did not finish the race but the Troubadours were sparked by the finish by Bilo, who has missed most of the season with an injury. As a key member of the state runner-up team last season, her presence on the course will benefit St. Francis at the state championship.

“It has been a very tough season for Peyton and she has done a great job rehabilitating and put in lots of effort to get her injury better,” said Myers. “We are delighted to have her put on the Troubadour jersey and be a part of the top seven.”

The Troubadours will direct their attention to the CIF State Championship meet to be held on Nov. 30 in Fresno and a chance at the second state championship in school history.

“We are going to train hard this next week and focus on some speed and a strong finish in the last mile,” said LaRocco.

Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Girls Cross Country

Willow Hills Reservoir, 5K

Team results: Davis 37. St. Francis 43; Woodcreek 94; Oak Ridge 102; Nevada Union 117; Armijo 187; Sheldon 192; Pleasant Grove 205; McClathey 228; Tokay 230.

Individual results: Fiona O’Keeffe, Davis 17:20; Lauren LaRocco, St. Francis, 17:45; Sofia Castiglioni, Davis, 18:18; Miranda Myers, St. Francis, 18:28; Madison Rawson, St. Francis, 18:31; Rachel Peterson, Oak Ridge, 19:07; Giulia McIsaac,Davis 19:12; Angela Dipentino, Woodcreek, 19:26; Lauren Mason, Woodcreek, 19:27; Maggie McManis, Davis, 19:35.

Other St. Francis results: 13. Peyton Bilo, 19:43; 22. Ariel Medina, 20:06; 28. Chase Worthen, 20:21.