Athletes of the week

(Published during the high school sports season)

(For the week of May 11 through May 17)

Boys

Hayden Xavier (Sr.) Middletown High School track & field

Having one of the greatest track seasons in Lake County history, Hayden Xavier qualified for the North Coast Section Meet of Champions in not one event, not two events, but three events on Saturday at the North Coast Section Class A championships. He once again broke his own school records in the 100 meters (10.86 seconds) and 200 meters (21.74) while winning both events. Xavier also anchored Middletown’s winning 4×100 relay team, joining teammates Esteban Muniz, Luke Mace and Jamisen Jackson. They combined for a time of 44 seconds flat. Finishing third or better next Saturday at the MOC in Dublin will send Xavier to the CIF State Championships May 29-30 in Clovis, a feat only a handful of Lake County track and field athletes have ever accomplished.

Girls

Angelina Bendure (Jr.) Upper Lake High School track and field

Angelina Bendure won the shotput and finished fifth in the discus Saturday at the North Coast Section Class A Championships in Santa Rosa. Bendure won the shotput with a toss of 31 feet, 6 inches, nearly six inches ahead of the runner-up. Her best effort in the discus was 86-6, one of only five athletes to throw more than 85 feet. Next up for the junior is the Meet of Champions where a finish of third place or better will send her to the CIF State Championships on May 29-30 in Clovis. Bendure is the last Upper Lake High School athlete left standing for the 2025-26 sports season.