The men crown themselves champions again.

After capturing a Western State Conference title for the first time in 25 years last fall, the Moorpark College men's cross country team set a goal of repeating that same feat this season. On their home course, each runner ran not only with their legs, but also their heart, as the team pulled off the nearly impossible by claiming the team's second straight conference title in as many years thanks to four Raiders that finished in the top ten.

Bryce Gardhouse crossed the finish line first in 20 minutes, 15 seconds to crown himself the individual champion, which hasn't been done at Moorpark College since Charlie Petrie in 2010. Matt Russell was fourth (20:42), Johnny Slone finished sixth, and Marcus Fehlman was ninth (21:05).

The first mile saw four Raiders in the front pack, Russell, Slone, Fehlman and Diego Rivera. As the four-mile race progressed, athletes started making their moves. Gardhouse gradually made his move to the front pack and with half of a mile to go, he took the lead.  Bryce ran smooth all the way to the finish line.

Sean McArthur rounded out the top five, placing 24^th in a time of 21:51.

Wyatt Tack (22:33) and Steven Solitare (22:40) were the 6^th and 7^th finishers for the Raiders. Diego Rivera (23:04/35^th), Drew Levy (23:14/41^st), Nicholas Williams (23:29/42^nd), Gabe Sanders (23:49/49^th) and Max Kirkhope (23:52/50^th) all finished in the top 50% of the finishers. 

The Raiders won the meet by one point, edging Bakersfield by a point, 44-45. Glendale finished third with 70 points.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY AT WSC CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Lady Raiders went into the WSC Championship unranked and finished in fourth out of 12 schools.

The Raiders placed three in the top 20, led by freshman Alianna Tapia, who placed eighth in 19:41. Vanessa Avila was next for the Raiders placing 17^th (20:40). Marlo Lavacude-Klenck ran a strong race in 20:47 and placed 19^th. Daphne Delmar (22:43) and Ava Ball (23:53) also had outstanding performances and were 29^th and 35^th respectively.

SOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The women's team finished eighth of 26 teams to qualify for the CCCAA State Championships,

Alianna Tapia (19:41), Vanessa Avila (19:45) and Marlo Lavacude-Klenck (19:53) were 33^rd, 36^th and 40^th, respectively.  Fourth and fifth for the Raiders were Daphne Delmar (21:27) and Ava Ball (22:50).   

 The men's team placed sixth of 28 teams to qualify. The Raiders were led by Bryce Gardhouse who placed ninth with a time of 20:09. Matt Russell was 25^th with a time of 20:33. Johnny Slone (20:48) and Marcus Fehlman (20:50) were 37^th and 39^th for the Raiders. Sean McArthur, Liam Pereira and Steven Solitare were 61^st, 67^th and 91^st – all finishing in the top 50%.

Next:  State Championships, Nov. 19

Location:  Woodward Park, Fresno

Start Time:  Women 10 a.m., Men 11 a.m.