The Pirates' men's and women's cross country teams ran at the Oxnard Invitational with the women coming in with a runner up finish and the men placing fourth overall. Tatiana Garcia led the VC women, finishing in fourth place covering the 5k course in 20:11 while Everado Magana was seventh for the men, running the 4-mile course in 21:59.
The Pirate women, running without Ventura Invitational medalist Olivia Burton, came in second overall of the seven participating teams, five of which fielded complete teams. Garcia led the VC effort followed by Brieanna Tafoya (5th place, 20:37), Isabelle Egbert (12th, 22:04, 11 team points), Maria Elizarraraz (17th, 23:15, 16 pts.), Cecilia Cano (18th, 23:18, 17 pts.), Diana Saldana (21st, 23:54), and Karen Reyes (24th, 24:06).
Meanwhile, the Ventura men placed fourth overall of the six participating teams, for of which had complete squads. Magana led the men in the 35-runner race and was followed by Johnny Ordaz (16th, 23:03, 14 team points), Luis Barriga (17th, 23:21, 15 pts.), Mauricio Flores (19th, 23:29, 16 pts.), and Luis Duran (24th, 24:45, 20 pts.).
"We were a little shorthanded today," commented head men's coach, Tony Veney. "Our No. 3-man from last week Jake Turville was held out with a sore ankle and last year's No. 1-man Adan Cruz has yet to race this season.
"But I was pleased with the overall effort from the young men, and when effort is high, the job of coaching is a good deal easier."
The Pirates head to Cerritos Regional Park on Friday September 14 for the SoCal Preview, a meet featuring 35 of the best cross teams from around Southern California. It serves as an important pre-state meet test. The women's 5k starts at 10:00 am while the men's race goes off at 11:00 am.