The Pirate track and field teams traveled to Antelope Valley Friday and battled the elements on a hot windy day. The teams showed grit as they competed in a preview of a condensed Western State Conference with the women placing third and the men fifth of the seven schools competing. Michelle Sanchez and Denise Cardona scored 24 of VC's 101 points in three throwing events to lead the Pirate women while Pierson Reynolds claimed the 800m for the VC men.
In the throws, Sanchez (Oxnard) scored in both of her throwing events, placing second in her javelin debut, and 2 second in the discus. Teammate Cardona (Pacifca) was third in the discus, and seventh in the shot put.
In the jumps, Charlotte Allison (La Reina) scored in three jumping events, placing second in the triple jump, third in both the high jump and long jump. Meanwhile, Gillian Serate (Pacifica) was third in the triple jump, and fourth in the long jump.
On the track, Aubrianna Smith (Foothill Tech) was the winner of the 100m and was the runner-up in the 200m. Gisele Ortega (St.Bonaventure) claimed silver in the 1500m, and was fifth in the 800m. Cristina Cortes (Oxnard) finished sixth in the 800m. Kailey Case (Camarillo) placed fourth in the 100m hurdles and the 4x400m team of Smith, Case, Cortes, and Ortega finished in second place.
Reynolds (Buena) was victorious in the 800m, while Noah Castro (Channel Islands) was third and Gabriel Olivares was seventh. On his birthday, Sahit Jimenez (Santa Paula) was sixth in the 3000m and ninth in the 1500m. Michael Sanchez (Foothill Tech) finished 13th in the 1500m and Reynolds, Castro, Jimenez, and Olivares won bronze in the 4x400m relay. Sprinter Tristan Brown (Hueneme) finished 10th in the 100m and 200m, while teammate Angel Gomez (Buena) was 11th in the 100m, and 13th in the 200m.
In the Jumps, Jaedon Rogers (Rio Mesa) leaped a lifetime best in the triple jump to finish in the runner-up spot while finishing sixth in the long jump.
In the throws, Christian Cook (Rio Mesa) was 11th in the shot put and discus, while Yoy Vasquez (Pacifica) finished 18th in each event.
"Our team continues to learn and grow every week," said Tom Cerwinski, Pirate head coach. "Our coaches are really proud of our athletes and their efforts thus far. We hope to poise ourselves to finish the season strong with the last two conference meets of this condensed season coming up over the next few weeks."