Pirate Women Take WSC North Meet, Men Close Fourth

The Ventura College women's track and field team ran away from the competition Friday in the six-team Western State Conference North meet while the men's team came in a close fourth at the VC Sportsplex. The Pirate women totaled 170 points on the day, ahead of second place Santa Barbara with 102. The men, meanwhile, scored 107 points, just 39 off the pace of first place Cuesta. The women were led by Sandra Harness and Marissa Gonzales while Jordan Gibson led the VC men.

Harness started her day by falling in the 100m hurdles, but bounced back running a leg on the winning 4x100 relay, taking first place in the javelin, and finishing third in the triple and high jump events. Meanwhile, Gonzales had a distance day for the ages placing second in the 800, 1500, and 3000 meter events. Valexsia Droughn used a blistering start to win the women's 100 meters in a wind-aided 11.93, much faster than the 12.20 school record. Andrea Rios (100m hurdles) and Karen Reyes (400m hurdles) rounded out the gold medal winners on Friday for the women. Second place finishes included Eden Hahn in the 100m and 200 meters (Nos. 3 and 4 all-time) and Serenity Valoaga in the shot put and discus.

Jordan Gibson was the Pirates'  top scorer for the men, winning the 100 and 200 meters in 10.54 and 21.54. The times were winded aided but still rank as the  Nos. 5 and 3 performances in those respective events. In addition to his individual events, Gibson also ran as a member of the third place 4x100 and second place 4x400 meter relays. Max Carmona  came in first in the 800m run while Dillon Chong (400m hurdles) and Chris Lawry (high jump and pole vault) each claimed silver medal performances.

"Cold and windy conditions test you more mentally than physically, and our staff rated the team effort as a B+ overall," said head coach Tony Veney.  "The men could have scored more points but we held out two integral parts of our team who will be ready to perform at a high level come mid-March and into April.

"It's still so early in the season and having several young people meet State 'A' and 'B' standards bodes well for April and May."

The Pirates stay close to home when they travel to the Moorpark Open on Friday March 2. Field events start at 11:00 am and the first track race is at noon.