MARAUDER CROSS COUNTRY HAS BITTER-SWEET REGIONAL FINALS

The Antelope Valley College men's and women's cross-country teams competed in the Southern California Cross Country Regional Finals, hosted by Bakersfield College, at the Kern County Soccer Complex. The top 14 men's and women's teams and the top 20 individuals advanced to the November 19th CCCAA Cross Country Finals at Woodward Park in Fresno.

The women's team, hit hard by an illness and last-minute personal issues, was reduced to a 3-woman team of Regina Kiminya, Brianna Dominguez, and Anahi Machado. But the women ran admirably, each running their fastest times of the season. Kiminya, who has run in the number one position in all but one meet, placed 38th overall and
was the 5th fastest individual on the day. She punched a ticket to her first state meet in her first collegiate cross-country season.

On the men's side, the team placed 20th (out of 28) teams, and though they missed out on the team advancement, Bobby Reynoso and Tim Moreno both secured their spots in the Championship Final. Reynoso and Moreno were followed into the finish chute by Kai Smithley, Jesus Flores, Richard Rose, and Joseph Santiago, completing a clean sweep where the men improved their Socal Preview times by over a minute (with Smithley over two minutes, and Rose 1:54).

"I was pleased with the way our men and women competed today," commented head coach Tony Veney. "Our women, knowing they were out of the team advancement, could have mailed in their race, but they ran aggressively, and it resulted in seasonal bests and a state meet for Kiminya. Even though the men's team missed their chance, having Moreno and Reynoso advance to the state meet inspires the other men to a higher level of commitment for next season."

The State Championship on Saturday, 11/19, will start the day with the women's 5k final at 10 am, followed by the men's 4-mile race at 11 am.