CROSS COUNTRY: The Pirates' men's and women's cross country teams participated in the Southern California Preview Friday morning hosted by College of the Canyons at Central Park in Santa Clarita. The races represented 31 men's teams and 35 women's teams and were a preview of the regional championships to be held on November 8 on the same course where 14 men's and 14 women's team will qualify for the state championships. Friday the Ventura women positioned themselves close to the mark placing 16th as a team, a mere 23 seconds off of 14th place while the Pirate men left some work for themselves placing 23rd.
As in the first two meets of the year, Sabrina Sewell lead the Pirate women placing 27th, out of 201 finishers. Rounding out VC's top seven were Brittany Gonzalez (28th), Brigitte Kiesewetter (93rd), Maria Villalobos (98th), Maria Canchola (119th), Alexi Tolosa (143rd) and Meryem Nafi 163rd).
"We still have a ways to go before we are sharp," said head coach Tony Veney, "but we have to be ready since everyone will be better in seven weeks."
The men were lead by Anthony Rivas for the third straight meet, as he placed 67th. Alex Miron (107th), Luis Cruz (116th), Jaime Luna (136th), Reggie Quiroz (147th), and Thomas Garcia (170th) rounded out the Ventura finishers.
"We finished in a tie for 23rd, but we were without Ed Herrera who would have helped move up quite a few spots," said Veney. "The men have a slightly steeper path to state than the women, but staying healthy and sharp on the day you need to be is the trick."
The Pirate harriers have a week off before traveling to the Bakersfield Invitational on Friday Sept. 27. VC will host the Western State Conference preview meet on Friday Oct. 4 at Arroyo Verde Park.