As they have done for the last 30 years, the Ventura College men and women's cross country teams opened their 2014 season running at Arroyo Verde Park at the Ventura Invitational. Led by sophomore Maria Villalobos, the women finished fifth while Anthony Rivas led the men's eighth place finish.
This season opener was made special by the appearance of Hall of Fame Pirate Track & Field/Cross Country coach, Tuck Mason. Tuck served as the official starter for both races commemorating one of the southlands most endearing cross country meets.
"I was thrilled when Tuck agreed to come and be our starter," said head coach Tony Veney. "The young people on the start lines gave Tuck a warm ovation when he was introduced giving them a glimpse of VC county cross country history."
The women's race was won by the College of the Canyons scoring a perfect 15 as Mt. San Antonio, Bakersfield, Citrus and Ventura round out the top-5 teams (out of 13 entered). The Pirate scorers on the 5k course were Vallalobos (11th overall, 23:09), Amanda Gomez (24th, 24:21), Alexi Tolosa (27th, 24:26), Brittany Gonzalez (29th, 24:42), Jordyn Vassaur (31st, 24:53), and Brigitte Kiesewetter (33rd, 25:06).
The men's race was also won by College of the Canyons, with Mt. San Antonio, Cuesta, Santa Monica, and Citrus rounding out the top-5. Ventura's men placed eighth out of the 12 men's team's entered. The Pirate runners in the 4-mile race included Rivas (28th, 24:04), Jaime Luna (29th, 24:18), Thomas McKenna (47th, 25:07), Paul Gonzalez (58th, 25:49), Alexis Miron (61st, 26:02), Brett Bogdanski (68th, 26:37), Thomas Garcia (71st, 27:04), Vincent Chavez (27:30), Christian Rodriguez (28:18), Edgar Cerda (29:47) and Matthew Medina (30:22).
"The first meet of the year always gives me a measuring stick to set my workouts for the next two months," said Veney. "If we can make the necessary tactical and physical improvements over the next eight weeks, I think we can make a statement come conference and Southern Cal's."
The Pirates travel to Legg Lake in South El Monte September 5 for the Rio Hondo Invitational. The first race is scheduled for 9:00 am.
| Women's Scores | Men's Scores | ||
| 1. | 15 Canyons | 1. | 23 Canyons |
| 2. | 65 Mt. SAC | 2. | 62 Mt. SAC |
| 3. | 73 Bakersfield | 3. | 131 Cuesta |
| 4. | 110 Citris | 4. | 134 Santa Barbara |
| 5. | 122 Ventura | 5. | 135 Citrus |
| 6. | 169 Moorpark | 6. | 191 Santa Monica |
| 7. | 211 Cuesta | 7. | 199 Bakersfield |
| 8. | 220 Santa Monica | 8. | 223 Ventrua |
| 9. | 261 Rio Hondo | 9. | 226 Moorpark |
| 10. | 228 Antelope Valley | ||
| 11. | 250 Oxnard | ||