The Dos Pueblos girls squeaked out a two-point win over Ventura in a Channel League cross country meet that was moved from Ventura’s Arroyo Verde Park to the DP on-campus course on Thursday.
On the boys side, Cole Smith blew away the field to lead the Chargers to the team victory.
The meet venue was changed because a stubborn manure and hay fire created poor air quality in Ventura.
Smith ran 15:06 on the flat 3-mile course, lowering his time from the first league meet a few weeks ago. Andrew McGuan kicked past Ryan Sorensen of San Marcos to finish in second place in 15:17. John Greening came in fifth (15:28), Tyler Bradford finished 10th (15:50) and Ian Wasjutin placed 14th (15:58).
Sorenson was third in 15:17 and Eric Salas took fourth in a PR of 15:24 to lead San Marcos. Nic Swider, Joe Logan & Walker Odell finished 11th, 12th and 13th.
Bradley Apodaca was Santa Barbara’s top finisher in 18th in 16:20
Dos Pueblos won the meet with 32 points. San Marcos was second with 43 followed by Ventura (65), Buena (78) and Santa Barbara (129).
DP senior Addi Zerrenner dominated the girls race, winning in 17:46. She was followed by Christina Rice (5th, 18:29), Natalie McClure (6th, 18:34), Elaine McClure (7th, 18:44) and Racquel Fygenson (19th, 19:42).
Fygenson stepped up big for the Chargers when an injured Tatianna Schluep fell back in mid race.
“After today, both girls realize how much of a difference they make for our team, and we still have some work to do to get their confidence up to race up with our Nos. 2-4 runners,” said DP coach Leslie Wiggins Roth.
Adilene Aldapa of San Marcos finished second in 18:01. Ruth Hunter was Santa Barbara’s top finisher in fifth place (18:26)
Dos Pueblos scored 39 points and Ventura had 41. San Marcos (77) was third followed by Buena (83) and Santa Barbara (124).
