Cross Country Opens Strong at Seawolf Invitational in Fresno

The Pirates' men's and women's cross country teams opened their 2022 seasons at the Seawolf Invitational Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno, the site of November's CCCAA State Championships. In the meet hosted by Sonoma State against primarily four-year competition, the Pirate women were led by freshman Sophia Godina while Adrian Valdez paced the men.

Godina (Rio Mesa) had the second-fastest season opener at Woodward Park in VC program history, finishing 15th overall, covering the 5k course in 19:58.72. Brenda Garcia (Buena) was next for the Pirates in 24th place (20:34.44) followed by Cristina Cortes (Oxnard (46th, 24:37.66).

The women's team will be complete and at full strength at the next meet.

Valdez (Oxnard) ran the fastest Woodward Park season opener of all-time for VC, coming in 16th overall with a 4-mile time of 21:50.30. Ramiro Mateos (Oxnard) finished close behind in 22nd place (22:08.84) and Erick Tienda (Rio Mesa) was 32nd (22:46.62). Other Ventura runners included Zach Lopez (Ventura) (37th, 24:27.65), Bryan Guzman (Oxnard) (40th, 24:45.24), Oliver Tavira (Rio Mesa) (42nd, 25:08.80), Luis Jimenez (Santa Paula) (45th, 26:32.00) and Aiden Pacheco (Ventura (47th, 27:53.03).

Both races were primarily run among university schools. On the men's side San Diego Mesa and Fresno City were the only other community college teams while San Diego Mesa was the only other community college women's team. 

The Pirates return to training for the Southern California Preview at Kern County Soccer Park oin Bakersfield on Friday Sept. 23.