Oxnard College men and women’s cross country teams both look to improve as the season goes on and will strive to make 2005 the year that will surpass all of their expectations.

With the men’s team finishing a strong 6th place in the state championships in 2004 Coach Gene Sharp’s goal for this season is to have his men improve on their performance from last year.

“It is my eighth year coaching cross country at Oxnard and we have gone from a 19th place finish in state competition in 2001, to a 6th place finish in 2004,” said Sharp.

” Our goal this year is to continue to exceed what we did the year before.” Coming off a disappointing season the women’s team has high goals as well. This year their goal is to reach state competition as a team for the first time in school history.

Oxnard’s men and womens teams both had great showings in their second competition of the year Saturday at Pierce College with the men’s team finishing 3rd overall and the woman’s team finishing in 2nd. There were amazing individual performances as well with great performances from sophomore Delfina Zuniga finishing 4th overall for the womens team and Axel Ambriz who finished a strong 6th overall for the men’s team.

The men’s team faired well despite the absence of their best runner Tony Arredondo who placed 4th individually last season in state competition; he was attending a wedding. Both teams faired well in their first competition also with a 7th place finish by the women and a 4th place finish by the men.

With a strong showing in their second competition of the season on Saturday, Oxnard men and womens cross country have shown that they are definitely stronger than the years passed.

Next Saturday both teams will travel to Costa Mesa to compete in the OCC Classic.

Delfina Zuniga, left, turned in a great individual performance on Saturday with a 4th place finish. (Adam Ashmore)