The VC women's and men's cross country teams opened their seasons Saturday at the Seawolf Invitational hosted by Sonoma State in Fresno's Woodward Park. Sophia Godina won the women's race featuring 44 runners from four-year schools. Meanwhile, Erick Tienda led the Pirate men with a 20th place finish against 37 athletes competing, also all from four-year programs.
Godina (Rio Mesa), an All-SoCal honoree a year ago, covered the 5k (3.1 miles) course in 18:32 to finish over 11 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor in a time that would have finished sixth at last year's 3C2A state championships on the same course. Brianna Torres (Oxnard) came in 15th place, breaking the tape in 20:05, followed by Yesenia Molina (Oxnard) in 32nd (22:51) and Julianne Caro (Simi Valley) in 41st (27:05). VC did not compete in the team competition against Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno Pacific, Sonoma State, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Los Angeles.
Tienda (Rio Mesa) paced the Pirate men, covering Woodward Park's 4-mile trek in 21:41 to finish 20th overall, earning 15 points. Diego Quezada (Oxnard) finished in 27th place at 22:32 for 18 points, followed by Kevin Ramirez (Rio Mesa)(30th, 23:54, 19 points), Ivan Aleman (Rio Mesa)(31st, 24:07, 20 points) and Carlos Oregel (Oxnard)(34th, 24:47, 22 points).
The Pirate men scored 94 points to finish behind Cal Poly Pomona (21) and Fresno Pacific (37) and ahead of Cal State LA (101).
Ventura next race will be on Friday Sept. 15. They will compete in the Southern California Preview at Long Beach's El Dorado Park.