Stanislaus vs. Merced— that’s how Friday’s first ever Country Clash Meet was billed.

Athletes from all over the Valley poured into Joe Debely Stadium for the inaugural event and treated spectators to high level competition. Turlock, Pitman, and Hilmar were among the schools present, but it was the Pride that emerged as the most successful of the bunch, specifically, the ladies.

Pitman claimed five first place finishes in the girls’ field. Kiana Clay earned top honors in the 200m, Kelsee Derr finished first in the 100m hurdles, Terri Gallon hit first place in the high jump, Lindsey Phillips sprung to number one in the pole vault, and the 4 x 400m relay team claimed gold with the help of Clay, Derr, Gallon, and Jaime Stroup.

Clay and Derr also competed in the 4 x 100m relay alongside Claire Littlefield and Lauren Cariaso for a second place finish. Clay added a second place finish in the 400m to her day’s results while Derr added a fourth place finish in the 300m hurdles. Cariaso finished 3rd in the long jump and 4th in the triple jump, Littlefield finished 5th in the triple jump, Amber Flores finished 4th in the pole vault and 5th in the 100m hurdles, and Rashel Pritchard finished 5th in the discus.

“We had some really good performances,” Pitman coach Thad Moren said.

Pitman’s boys also had a fairly successful outing with Isaac Gonzalez and Chance Hagar recording the best individual performances with 2nd place finishes in the 1600m and pole vault, respectively. Titus Judish finished 3rd in the high jump, Nick Roditis finished 4th in the discus, Aaron Lusher finished 3rd in the shot put, and Aaron Mayfield finished 3rd in the 800m.

The girls of Turlock also had a good outing on Friday. Jocelyn Montes, Mallory Patino, Emily Romo, and Yesenia Castro led the 4 x 400m relay team to a second place finish right behind the Pride while the 4 x 100m relay team—comprised of Montes, Patino, Cierra Booz, and Makayla Mabie—finished in 4th  place. Montes also had a 4th place finish in the 200m and a 3rd place finish in the 400m while Booz finished 2nd in the long jump, 4th in the high jump, and 6th in the triple jump.

Patino claimed the only first place finish for Turlock in the 300m hurdles in addition to a 4th place finish in the 100m hurdles while Makenzie Salyer claimed a 3rd place finish in the 3200m.

“When you take the top eight from Merced and Stanislaus, there are a lot of elite kids competing,” Turlock coach Mike Brown said.

Logan Conner emerged as the most successful Bulldog on the boys’ side with a 3rd place finish in the 300m hurdles and a 4th place finish in the 110m hurdles while Ryan Weaver placed 5th in the 200m.

“We’re looking forward to having it again next year,” Moren said.

“I really liked it; it was a lot of fun,” Brown said.

Hilmar’s highest placer was Angelique Souza who finished 3rd in the high jump.