by Greg Maher
Staff Writer
La Verne’s cross country teams traveled to El Prado Regional Park in Chino to compete in the SCIAC Championship meet.
Both teams ran well, with the men finishing 5th and the women finishing 6th, two weeks ago.
“The cool weather and flat course were ideal for some fast times, and the men responded to the conditions,” said Head Coach Pat Widolff.
Junior Brian Ward and Sophomore Gilbert Gomez led the way for the men. Ward finished 13th overall in a time of 27:07, and Gomez placed 18th in 27:21.
Both Ward and Gomez were named to the All-Conference second team for their performances a first for ULV.
Ward and Gomez now stand first and second respectively on the Leopards all-time performance list.
Freshman Victor Capetillo and Junior Angel Casillas also ran well, finishing third and fourth for La Verne.
Capetillo finished 25th overall in 27:58, and Casillas was 30th with a time of 28:07.
Senior Jesus Luna rounded out the scoring for the men with a 28:51, good for 41st place.
Sophomore Jose Barba and junior Airion Brantley ran their best races of the season finishing with times of 28:54 and 29:42, respectively.
Sophomore Monica Patino led the way for the women running 22nd with a time of 20:21. Sophomore teammates Jill and Kelly Perkins followed close behind.
Jill Perkins finished 23rd in 20:23, and Kelly crossed the line in 25th, with a time of 20:32.
Junior Maria Esqueda finished fourth for the women, and 34th overall in 21:26. Freshman Veronica Mendez ran to her best time of the season at 23:11.
”I was hoping the men would finish fourth, and the women fifth. As a coach you always wish you could do better, but they did a great job,” Widolff said.
The teams return to El Prado tomorrow for the NCAA Regional meet.
Unlike sports where you have to qualify for Regionals, any cross country team can participate.
The Leos will take seven men and seven women to the regional meet.
