MARAUDER WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM QUALIFIES FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS

OXNARD - The Marauder women's cross country team earned a spot in the Southern California Championships with an eighth place finish at the Western State Conference Championships Friday afternoon at Oxnard College.

It was no easy task for the Marauders as they compete in the toughest conference in the state.

"The women have a real chance to go the state meet," AVC head coach Mark Covert said. "We have to be really good in four weeks. We have to be good enough to get out of the Southern California Championships and qualify for the state meet."

Mariah Theologidy, was the first AVC runner to cross the line as the freshman finished eighth with a time of 19:24.93. Theologidy has crossed the line first in every race for the Marauders, including a fourth place finish at the Southern California Preview Meet in Irvine. On Nov. 4, Theologidy will again run at Irvine Park for the Southern California Championships, with a strong opportunity to make the state meet.

Krista Beck finished 17th with a time of 20:02.60 and teammate Carolina Gonzalez was 20th in 20:17.37.

Glendale College, who Covert says may be "the best team ever," won the meet. It had nine (2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19) of the top 19 finishers in the race. College of the Canyons was second followed by Cuesta College.

"They are very, very good," said Covert of Glendale. "They are really deep."

The state meet will be held on Nov. 19 in Fresno at Woodward Park.