Already a two-time qualifier for the CIF State Championships, the Sierra senior knew that a third berth was not going to be guaranteed.

So, he prepared a game plan heading into the Sac-Joaquin Section Championships last Friday on the 5,000-meter course at Willow Hill Reservoir Community Park in Folsom.

“I knew that I was going to have to focus, because the D-III competition is really tough,” Gonzalez said. “There were two guys I knew (whom) I wanted to stay with the whole race, and then go by them in the end. It worked out.

He placed sixth overall in the Division III with a time of 16 minutes, 12.7 seconds. Only the top three teams and a maximum of five individuals qualify for state. Individual qualifiers had to finish among the top 14. Gonzalez was the No. 4 individual qualifier, as he held off Del Oro sophomore Alden Reck (16:17.8) — the final individual advancing — at the end.  Kimball’s Andres Lomeli took first in 15:26.1.

Gonzalez is the reigning Valley Oak League champion. He also earned individual titles in the Frogtown and Flat SAC invitaionals.

He is looking forward to his third and final trip to Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 29. In previous visits to the state meet, he took 63rd out of 214 in 16:05.6 last year, and 64th out of 212 in 16:20.1 as a sophomore.

The Division III boys race starts at 9 a.m. Fellow Timberwolf Anna Dittman, who placed eighth at the SJS final, is also competing at state and will race at 10.

“I’m really proud,” Gonzalez said. “I want to thank all my supporters, my family, my friends, my coaches for really pushing me. I’m thankful for this.”