Heat was definitely a factor at the Western State Conference where competition attracted 13 schools to Oxnard College for the cross-country preview meet on September 24, 2010. The Oxnard women team’s unofficial result for their 5k run was for 5th place which was a prominent spot to be in.
Oxnard Head Coach, Geno Sharp, is hopeful for the season after analyzing the final outcome for the lady Condors. “We hope to improve and work towards the conference championship,” Sharp said.
Christina ‘Cristy’ Sepulveda, 19, an Anthropology student at Oxnard who placed 48 out of 95 and scored 39 with an average mile of 7:10 was satisfied with her performance. “I started off pretty good and then the heat hit me so much,” Sepulveda said. “Once I saw the time I just naturally took off. I think I ran my fastest time of the season but I’m expecting to do a lot better by the end.”
Official results reported Moopark for 2nd place with Oxnard in 5th and Ventura right on the heels taking 7th place among the 13 schools that competed in this invitational.
Coach Sharp was only slightly more introspective when it came to his expectations for the men’s 4k run. “This is a very new and young team,” Sharp stated. “We’re looking at this as a rebuilding year for us, we’re just trying to improve from where we’re at and move from there.”
It is safe to say that Moorpark Head Coach Traycie Kephart was confident in the team and Shaun Nalanlieng verbalized such confidence when he gave a word right before the race was to begin.
“The weather’s really nice – I’m thinking our team’s going to place pretty high,” Nalanlieng commented. “Ventura and Oxnard? I think we’re going to beat them.”
The day wouldn’t have been complete, however, without the presence of Jonas Crawford, the Athletic Director for Oxnard College to whom the weather was no concern. Crawford’s spirit and energy was almost palpable when he said, “I’m representing Oxnard College at the Western State Conference!” He continued to speak of his happiness over the weather, Oxnard’s facilities, and the beautiful event taking place. “I am really proud of our coach, Geno Sharp, for putting all this together – he’s done a beautiful job and hopefully we can make this an annual event!”
The intense rivalry between Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura couldn’t be mistaken or ignored at the WSC. Ventura’s only rebuttal to the statement made by Nalanleing was by Justin Booth-Ortega, 19, who’s majoring in Criminal Justice and placed 13 with a score of 12 for the race.
“We’re a pretty solid team so I’m hoping to finish top 3,” Booth-Ortega said. “I finished off Charlie Petrie last week so let’s just see if he’s not still hurting this week.”
Ventura definitely recovered from the Orange Coast Classic held the previous week when official results showed that the men’s team score was 4th place and Moorpark trailing close behind in 6th.
Although Oxnard was “DFL,” a noteworthy self-reflection of 19 year old Psychology student, Pepe Hernandez’s performance just might illustrate the prospect for the team as a whole to improve and shine by the end of the season. Not only did he lead the Oxnard men’s team, but he also beat his personal goal and contributed 100% of his efforts to the inspiration from his coach’s strength. Wearing the black ribbon for the remembrance of Coach Sharp’s mother, who recently passed away, Hernandez said, “I did it for my coach.”
Oxnard College is definitely prepared to welcome the entire conference again for the next WSC Preview meet as this was the first cross country meet held at the school in over 20 years, and hugely successful at that.
Sharp has said, “Miles make champions,” and this cross country season will be one marked by the dedication, knowledge of the sport, and game strategy of each runner involved.
