Orange Coast ends drought to capture Orange Empire women's cross country banner
MISSION VIEJO - The Orange Coast College women's cross-country team ended a 12-year drought in capturing the Orange Empire Conference title on Friday morning at Saddleback College. The Pirates had six harriers named to the all-conference team following the race.
Orange Coast hadn't won a conference title since 2013, which was the last of 18 straight titles for the Pirates dating back to 1996. Orange Coast was eager to put that spooky streak behind them on Friday, and Halloween seemed to be the perfect day to brew up a championship potion.
Orange Coast dominated the event, finishing with a team score of 24. The Pirates had five of the top eight overall finishers to distance themselves from second-place Saddleback College.
Jocelyn Alba cruised to the win, finishing the 5k trek in 18:15.5. She was nearly 11 seconds ahead of Kiana Zerehgar from Saddleback College in claiming the Orange Empire Conference Runner-of-the-Year Award.
Following Alba to the finish line from Orange Coast was Jasmin Trujillo (3rd), Alejandra Reyburn (6th), Mariana Hernandez (8th) and Belle Baker (9th) to round out the team score.
Saddleback finished second in the event and had two runners making the all-conference team. Following Zerehgar for the Bobcats was Shae Barrera, who finished seventh.
Riverside City College finished third at the event and Fullerton College was fourth.
A complete video of the race can be seen - Click Here!
1st Team All-Conference
1) Jocelyn Alba, Orange Coast
2) Kiana Zerehgar, Saddleback
3) Jasmin Trujillo, Orange Coast
4) Lowyn Pereyda, Golden West
5) Brittany Rodriguez, Fullerton
6) Alejandra Reyburn, Orange Coast
7) Shae Barrera, Saddleback
2nd Team All-Conference
8) Mariana Hernandez, Orange Coast
9) Belle Baker, Orange Coast
10) Celeste Mendoza, Riverside City
11) Lorena Munoz, Riverside City
12) Caitlyn Brody, Riverside City
13) Isabel Ramirez, Orange Coast
14) Vanessa Castellanos, Fullerton
(Brad Hoiseth, Orange Empire Conference)