In a display of talent and teamwork, the VC men's and women's track and field teams emerged victorious at the Western State Conference North Meet in San Luis Obispo. Sophia Godina claimed gold in three individual events while Charys Pyle, Brooke Pyle and Cassandra O'Reilly also posted individual victories. Erick Tienda and Thomas Dore were triple winners to lead the Pirate men. Micah Contreras and Trevor McCarthy also had gold medal performances for Ventura.
The women's team scored an impressive 164 points to win the meet while Cuesta was second with 132 and Bakersfield was third with 120 points. The men's team was equally impressive with a winning score of 143 points. Bakersfield edged out Cuesta for second, 119-166.
Godina (Rio Mesa) secured victories in three individual events for the Pirate women: the 800m, 1500m and 3k. She also ran with the 4x400m relay team taking third place.
C. Pyle (Foothill Tech) dominated the hurdles, claiming first in the 400m hurdles and third in the 100m hurdles. She also played a crucial role in the bronze medal 4x400m relay team.
Meanwhile, the quartet of Ashley Crist (Foothill Tech), B. Pyle (Foothill Tech), Savannah Sprinkle (Buena), and Cassandra O'Reilly (Rio Mesa) secured victory in the 4x100m relay.
O'Reilly's all-around excellence was on full display as she won gold in the shot put and earned fifth in both the 100m hurdles and high jump. B. Pyle broke the tape first in the 100m, while she won silver in the long jump, and bronze in the 200m and Crist won silver in the triple jump and finished fourth in the 100m. Sprinkle secured a third place finish in the 100m and long jump, and came in fourth in the triple jump.
Other notable performances include Brianna Torres (Oxnard) taking fifth place in the 3k and anchoring the 4x400m relay team. Stephanie Alanis (Channel Islands) posted a second place finish in the discus, and was third in the the shot put and hammer, and fifth in the javelin. Layla Alonso (Rio Mesa) posted a sixth place finish in the hammer and shot put while Julianne Caro (Simi Valley) was fourth in the javelin and sixth in the 100m hurdles,and ran with the 4x400m relay. Addy Cornell (Newbury Park Adventist) secured 6th place in the 3k.
Tienda (Rio Mesa) won his golds in the 800m, 1500m, and 3k events while Dore (Oxnard) claimed the 100m, 200m races and anchored the first place 4x100m relay. Tienda also anchored the bronze medal-winning 4x400m relay.
Contreras (Camarillo) won the 110m hurdles and placed third in the 100m, and also ran on the 4x400m relay team. Angel Cano (Oxnard) claimed bronze in the 400m hurdles and high jump and placed fourth in the 110m hurdles.
Trevor McCarthy (St.Bonaventure) had a memorable day, winning the javelin with his first-ever throw, finishing fourth in the 100m, and helping the 4x100m relay team win gold. Andrew Stuart (Buena) finished sixth in the 100m and also ran on the 4x100m relay. Meanwhile, Liam Genkel (Ventura) came in fifth 5th in the 400m and contributed to the third-place 4x400m relay team. Adrian Valdez (Oxnard) was third in the 800m and 1500m, and finished fifth in the 3k.
Mason Jekogian (Ventura) crossed the finish line in fifth place in the 1500m and was sixth in the 3k while Xavier Lyons (Rio Mesa) won bronze in the 110m hurdles and came in fourth in the high jump. Joseph Moore (Moorpark) ran with the third-place 4x400m relay team and secured sixth in the 200m.
The Pirates have set the stage for an exciting season ahead as they aim for more top finishes ahead. They next compete at the Santa Monica Classic on Friday March 1.