In a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, the Ventura College Track and Field team hosted the Western State Conference Relays on Friday. Stephanie Alanis finished in the Top-10 in four different field events while Charys Pyle, Savannah Sprinkle and Julianne Caro each placed in three individual events. The men's 4x100 and sprint medley relay teams each secured gold medal finishes. Erick Tienda won both the 5k run and the 3000m steeplechase.
Alanis (Channel Islands) showcased her strength claiming fourth in the javelin, seventh in the shot put, fourth in the discus, and sixth in the hammer throw while Caro (Simi Valley) demonstrated her versatility with a ninth place finish in the long jump, 10th in the javelin, and seventh in the high jump.
C. Pyle (Foothill Tech) stood out with an impressive showing, securing second place in the 400m hurdles, fourth in the 100m hurdles, and sixth in the 200 meters. The women's 4x100m relay team consisting of Ashley Crist (Foothill Tech), Savannah Sprinkle (Buena), Brooke Pyle (Foothill Tech), and Cassandra O'Reilly (Rio Mesa), claimed a solid silver medal finish.
Crist demonstrated her versatility with an eighth place finish in the long jump and a fourth place finish in the 200m. Sprinkle showcased her skills securing second place in the 200m, fourth in the high jump, and fifth in the long jump. Meanwhile, Brooke Pyle claimed bronze in the long jump and Cassandra O'Reilly placed third in the shot put.
Addy Cornell (Newbury Park Adventist) made her mark with a silver medal finish in the 3000m steeple chase while Sophia Godina (Rio Mesa) took second place in the 5k with Brianna Torres (Oxnard) finishing fifth. Layla Alonso (Rio Mesa) secured eighth in the hammer, eighth in the shot put, and 11th in the discus.
The men's 4x100m relay team showcased their dominance, with the 4x100m relay team of Joseph Moore (Moorpark), Trevor McCarthy (St. Bonaventure), Andrew Stuart (Buena), and Thomas Dore (Oxnard) taking the top spot with a mark of 42.52. Dore and McCarthy, alongside Liam Genkel (Ventura) and Adrian Valdez (Oxnard), secured victory in the (2,2,4,8) sprint medley, breaking the tape in 3:37.13. Valdez went on the take second in the 5k behind Tienda. Genkel also took eighth in the 200m and 13th in the long jump.
In an outstanding individual performance, Tienda (Rio Mesa) captured gold in the 5k and the 3000m steeple chase, with teammate Carlos Oregel (Oxnard) finishing fifth in the Steeplechase. Tienda also joined teammates Stuart, Moore, and Angel Cano (Oxnard) to take second in the (1,1,2,4) sprint medley. Oliver Tavira (Rio Mesa) claimed 12th place in the 5k, followed by Kevin Ramirez (Rio Mesa) in 17th and Dillon Rothermel (Nordhoff) in 26th. Oregel and Tavira, along with Ramirez and Ivan Aleman (Rio Mesa), secured ninth place in the distance medley.
The Western State Conference Relays at Ventura College were a true testament to the talent and dedication of these athletes, leaving spectators eagerly anticipating the team's future triumphs. The pirates travel to Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo Friday Feb. 24 for the WSC North meet.