Making his third appearance in the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships on Saturday, Sierra senior Christian Gonzalez shaved more than 15 seconds off of his previous best time at Woodward Park in Fresno.

He finished a career-best 51st place out of 219 Division III runners, finishing in 15 minutes, 49.7 seconds. Joining him was fellow Timberwolf Anna Dittman — the sophomore and first-time state qualifier placed 50th out of 216.

Oliver Hunter (14:55.3) of Dana Hills fended off Kimball’s Andres Lomeli and three others who posted sub-15-minute times to prevail as the Division III boys individual winner. Gonzalez was able to keep pace with the lead pack in the first mile before slowly fading.

It was still a strong finish to the season for the Valley Oak League’s reigning varsity boys champion. Gonzalez previously took 63rd in 16:05.6 at last year’s state meet.

Dittman put forth a strong first showing, posting a time of 18:44.4 Carondelet’s Gretchen Yakaitis won in 17:09.9.