The Moorpark College men’s track and field team placed first in the Western State Conference finals Saturday, making them conference champions for the eighth year in a row.

The event, held at Moorpark College, featured 12 schools and was dominated by the Raiders. Moorpark won by over 50 points.

“It’s terrific,” said Moorpark College athletic director Howard Davis. “It’s just a great reward for our coaches and students who have worked so hard all season.”

The Raiders placed first in the discus, shot put, 100m, and the javelin. They took second in the hammer throw and high jump, and third 4x100m relay. Jimmy Pacifico nearly broke the school record in the shot put with a throw of 56’11.5. The Raiders also took second through fifth in that event. Alex Hoffman threw for a personal best in the javelin and Daniel Wolverton won the 100m with a time of 10.75.

The Moorpark College women’s team placed fourth out of 12 schools and qualified for the Southern California preliminaries. They won the 4x100m relay and came in second in the 4x400m relay.

“The women’s team preformed exceptionally well,” Coach Tracie Kephart said in a statement. “Nearly everyone set a personal best.”

With students coming and leaving every year it is hard to stay consistent let alone win conference every year but Moorpark’s men’s team does just that.

“The common denominator is our coaches,” said Davis. “We have great coaches.”

Ventura College also represented the VCCCD and finished in sixth place in both the men’s and women’s events, qualifying them for the preliminaries in Bakersfield.

Moorpark is admired by many schools and the raiders were happy to host the event.

“We really have such a great venue,” said Davis. “It is nice hearing compliments from the other schools.”

The Southern California preliminaries are on May 3 in Bakersfield. The Southern California finals will be held May 7 at Bakersfield, with the state championships being held at Cerritos on May 16-17.

“We are really looking forward to doing well in the regionals and the state finals,” said Davis.

Kyle Elsea leaps into the air during the men’s long jump event inside Griffin Stadium at Moorpark College on April 26. (Daniel Monterroso)

Daniel Wolverton takes first in the 100m dash. The Raider men finished first overall in the Western States Conference track and field finals. (Jeffrey Farrar)