Glendale women, American River men odds-on favorites for state titles at CCCAA cross country championships in Fresno Nov. 21

Glendale women, American River men odds-on favorites for state titles at CCCAA cross country championships in Fresno Nov. 21
November 16, 2015

by Woody Wilk, CCCSIA

(FRESNO) 'Smoking the competition' may be a cliche, but the Glendale College women's cross country team might turn it into slang. When? At the women's 39th California Community College Athletic Association Championships on Saturday, November 21 at Fresno's Woodward Park. There will be roughly 400 runners from approximately 55 schools competing this year.

  At the Southern California championships held Nov. 6 at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, the Lady Vaqueros five scoring runners finished in the top 12 and about two time zones ahead of runner-up College of the Canyons, 35-115.

  Leading the way were two freshmen: Leania Setian (19:01.2) and Giselle Masedo (19:02.8) who finished fourth and sixth respectively. Three veteran sophomores capped the scoring. Crystal Morales (19:08.4), Stacy Macias (19:40.3) and Brenda Sanchez (19:40.5) were 7th, 11th and 12th. Adding depth were Fabiola Naranjo and Lucik Minassian, 39th and 43rd in team scoring.

  Southwestern's defending state champion, Aminat Olowora won the individual title timing the three-mile course in 17:02.0, a cruise control win over the competition. Riverside's  Briana Jacklin (18:57.3) was runner-up just ahead College of the Canyons' Jessica Ruiz (18:58.8).

  Olowora will attempt to break the Woodward Park course record she set last year, 16:59.7. It broke the 30-year old record of 17:06 set by Sylvia Mosqueda of East Los Angeles.

  Meanwhile, up north on Nov. 6, the Hartnell College women were in the groove at their home course, Toro Park, and outstrided College of the Sequoias, 42-68. Malena Grover, 13th at last year's state championships, led the Lady Panthers finishing second in 18:00.4. Teammates Rachel Shimabukuro (18:55.5), Lizette Garcia (19:16.9) and Yessika Mayo (19:47.0) were next finishing 5th, 7th and 10th. Maria Rodriguez (20:16.5) at 18th, rounded out team scoring.

  The individual title went to Jenica Dodge (17:55.6) of American River, who was fourth at last year's state championships. She, along with Olowora and Grover, have an excellent chance at being repeat All-Americans. The top 14 finishers at the state championships receive A-A status. Dodge led her team to a third place finish in the NorCal, five points behind COS.

  If there is a pre-race caveat that Glendale coach Eddie Lopez will deliver, he will remind them they were favorites in 2014 and finished third.

  While the Hartnell ladies enjoyed home cookin,' the American River men were bullish on Toro Park's four mile route winning a sixth consecutive NorCal title, 28-52 over runner-up Hartnell. ARC, second to College of the Canyons, 79-86, at the 2014 state championships was denied a fourth consecutive state crown. Coach Rick Anderson has the talent to resume a new streak and his team is heavily favored to win the 52nd CCCAA men's Cross Country Championships.

  The proof: all five team scoring runners finished in the NorCal top ten as individual champ Abdul Hamid (20:20.8) led the way. Donald Plazola (20:24.6) was third while Sean Gregg (20:39.0), David French (20:50.6) and Ross Walker (20:53.6) were 7th, 8th and 9th. Hamid and Gregg are possible repeat All-Americans. Gregg was 10th and Hamid was 14th in 2014.

  Mt. San Antonio, fourth at the 2014 state meet, won the SoCal title outpointing Riverside, 82-100. Terry Fensko (20:53.3) led the Mounties with a 7th place finish. His teammates were neatly bunched as Kevin Herrera (21:06.6) and Daniel Harrigan (21:16.3) were 12th and 14th. Nicholas Medina (21:22.6) and Carlos Barrios (21:38.2) were 20th and 29th.

  The SoCal individual titlist was Michael Teran (20:31.2) of San Bernardino Valley and College of the Canyons Ethan Walker (20:35.7) was runner-up. Ulysses Orozco (20:35.7) of Saddleback, finished third. SBVC, RCC and Mt. SAC are perennial powers and not to be overlooked.

  Fresno's weather forecast for Nov. 21 predicts sunny skies with some clouds, a high of 65 and low of 45. Race temperatures should be in the 50s as the women's 3.1 mile race begins at 10 a.m. The men's 4 mile race follows at 11 a.m. Woodward Park's course should be firm thanks to a Sunday morning rainshower and following winds which are drying the area. Late arrival of cold, fall temperatures is bringing a late, colorful look to Woodw