M&W TRACK & FIELD: The Ventura College men's and women's distance runners took center stage Friday as they competed in the Occidental College Distance Carnival. The annual event, highlights distance from 800 meters to 10k, featuring elite all the way down to novice running sections. The highlight of the evening came in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase as school record holder Sabrina Sewell shaved 17 seconds from her old record and ranks her No. 5 in Southern California and No. 7 in the state. Jaime Luna (800m), Kyle Mochizuki (800m), Salvador Martinez (800m), Nisa Contreras (800m), Ruben Juanillo (1500m&5k), Anthony Rivas (5k), Edwin Herrera (5k), Alexi Tolosa (10k), Maria Villalobos (10k), Alex Miron (10k), Luis Cruz (steeplechase), and Thomas Garcia (5k) all turned in lifetime bests. Jake Herbold (800m), running the 800 for the first time in 3 years recorded a seasonal best that moved him into the top five in the WSC.
"This was a good outing for the distance crew," commented head coach Tony Veney. "Oxy always brings out the best in your longer runners because the meet is run in cooler conditions on a surface that is ideal for PR's. With only five weeks before WSC Prelims, those who aspire to qualify for SoCal's and State have to make significant improvement if they hope to be ready in May."
The Pirates travel up the coast to compete in the Santa Barbara Easter Relays Friday March 21. Field events start at 9:00 am while the first running event goes off at 11:00 am at La Playa Stadium.