Juan Resendiz rounds the track at Bell to finish his run. 

BELL — First. That was the word of the day for the Branford High School boys and girls cross country programs Saturday.

The two teams dominated the Bell Invitational, taking the win against Bell, Chiefland and Trenton.

“It went amazing,” Branford girls cross country coach Stefanie Santos said. “We very impressed with the kids. They have put in a lot of work before the season had started. We have a lot of newbies this season. It’s going to be a great season. We’re excited to see them improve.”

The boys swept first through fourth place and also had a seventh-place finisher. K.J. Wingate is the boys coach.

Juan Resendiz finished first with a time of 17:20. Alan Bruno came in second, at 17:29. Justin Hernandez took third, with a time of 18:38. Josue Sierra-Berrios finished out the sweep in fourth, at 19:04. Michael Galloway also finished in the top 10, in seventh with a time of 20:55.

First time competitors Zander Hegenauer (27:02) and Brandon Nolan (38:07) also competed on Saturday.

First season runners Kayla Desmartin (21:41), Kyla Desmartin (21:45) and Kalyn Osgood (22:50) took the top three places at the meet for the Branford firls. Kaitlyn Carrier (25:37), Madison Ward (25:52, personal record), Jessie Sikes (27:26), Nathalia Veal (28:08), Alex Whitfield (28:38) and Em Varga (41:05) also ran for BHS.

Osgood, Sikes, Veal, Ward and Whitfield are dual athletes who play volleyball as their primary sport.

“We want to say a special thank you, to Michelle Richards, our volunteer coach, for all her help and knowledge with distance running,” Santos said. “Her knowledge of the sport has helped out our runners tremendously.”