Glendale Faces Stiff Challenge From Ventura in Cross-Country

Glendale College is the two-time defending Western State Conference champion in men’s cross-country, but Ventura, a team with momentum on its side, might make it difficult for the Vaqueros to repeat in the conference finals today at Cuesta College.

Glendale and Ventura have faced off twice this season in “mini meets.” Glendale won the first encounter, but Ventura took the rematch two weeks ago, 46-49. The conference champion is determined by combining the results of the WSC finals--which count double--and two conference mini-meets.

“Glendale beat us pretty badly in the first meet,” Ventura Coach Tuck Mason said. “It (the second meet) was a great victory for us. We’re sitting right where we want to be.”

In Ventura’s victory, Glendale competed without Sal Garfias, its top runner. Garfias has shin splints but is expected to run today.

“I think we can win it,” Glendale Coach Ed Lopez said. “Sal has started running again and the team has been working out well.”

Ventura’s Jaime Galindo was an easy winner in both mini meets and should run away with the individual title. Glendale’s James Moore and Bakersfield’s James Osbourne should battle for second.

In the women’s finals, Bakersfield is favored to win the team title.

Ventura’s Lori Montoya, Glendale’s Nicole Jimenez and Bakersfield’s Pam Boyles are among the favorites for the women’s individual title.

The women’s three-mile race begins at 3 p.m. and the men’s four-mile race begins at 3:45.