Following Valley fire, Middletown Mustangs to run in Viking Invitational

This will be the first time an athletic team from Middletown High School has competed since the deadly Valley fire erupted.|
KERRY BENEFIELD
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

The Middletown High School cross country team will compete in the Viking Opener at Spring Lake in Santa Rosa on Saturday, marking the first time the Mustangs have fielded a team for an athletic event since the deadly Valley fire erupted last weekend.

Principal Bill Roderick said Middletown coaches will accompany any athlete who wants to run Saturday.

The Valley fire has forced the temporary closure of all Middletown Unified School District campuses, including the high school where flames destroyed the maintenance building and alternative education classroom but spared the main campus and athletic fields.

Thousands remain evacuated from their homes and many still don’t know whether the structures stand or have been lost to the fire.

The fire has claimed three lives and injured four firefighters.

Lake County Superintendent of Education Brock Falkenberg said the goal is to open all campuses by Monday.

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