Locals shine in School Ghoul 5K

Rossmoor resident Dave Depew ran away with the overall title at the inagural School Ghoul 5K in Rossmoor on Sunday. Depew finished the course in 17 minutes, 57 seconds, averaging 5:45 per mile.

Rossmoor resident Dave Depew ran away with the overall title at the inagural School Ghoul 5K in Rossmoor on Sunday. Depew finished the course in 17 minutes, 57 seconds, averaging 5:45 per mile.

The event was put together to raise money for schools in the Los Alamitos Unified School District and drew hundreds of runners, with many locals representing area schools. Alexander Vella of Long Beach was the second overall finisher with a time of 18:36. Jose Romero took third and Rossmoor resident Todd Terlecki was fourth overall in a time of 19:02.

Garden Grove resident Michelle Urata, 22, who was running as part of Team Hopkinson, was the top overall female with a time of 19:28. Victoria Rice, 13, of Los Alamitos was the second overall female finisher with a time of 19:39.

Three runners listed as part of Team Los Alamitos High, finished in fifth through seventh place overall. Brian Beal, 13, was fifth in a time of 19:05 and Constantine Banez, 14, was sixth in 19:06. Phil Avalos, 47, took seventh in 19:11. Matthew Warden, 14, of Team McCauliffe, was third in the male 13-19 category, with a time of 20:50

Leah Kellogg of Seal Beach was the 15th overall finisher and the second-place runner in the female age 13-19 category, with a time of 20:49. She was followed in the division by Leah Han, of Cypress, with a time of 24:15. Han was the 35th overall runner.

Jacob Rips of Rossmoor was the 17th overall finisher and first in the male age 12 and under division. Rips, 12, finished in a time of 22:31. Nick Hodge of Los Alamitos was the 24th overall finisher and second in the male age 12 and under division. Hodge, 11, ran the course in a time of 22:48. Taking third in the male 12 and under division was Klaus Quinonez, 12, with at time of 23:02.

Sean Payne, 36, of Seal Beach was the second place finisher in the male 30-39 division with a time of 22:42. Avalos, 47, registered as part of the Los Al High team, was the top finisher in the male age 40-49 division. Greg Phillips, 45, of Team McCauliffe, was the next finisher in the male 40-49 division in a time of 22:33. He was followed in the age group by Rob Poetsch, 45, of Rossmoor, also with a time of 22:33.