Valley College Women’s Cross-Country Edges Mira Costa to Win State Title

FRESNO — Valley College’s women’s cross-country team edged Mira Costa, 83-87, to win its first JC state championship Saturday at Woodward Park.

The Monarchs were led by Kim Stewart, who ran a 17:13.2 on the three-mile course. Stewart, who improved steadily during the regular season, placed second to overall winner Sylvia Mosqueda of East L.A. College. Mosqueda ran a 17:06.6.

Valley scored two more runners in the top 10: Gretchen Lohr at seventh with a time of 17:46.9 and Sandra Martinez at ninth with a time of 17:56.9.

Also for Valley was Donna DiMaggio at 27th with a time of 19:17.8, Donna Jackson was 40th at 19:41.7, Maureen Doderlein was 46th at 20:01.4 and Kathy Smith was 53rd at 20:41.2.

Although Moorpark did not attend the finals as a team, two runners did well enough at the Southern California Regionals to attend the state finals.

Lisa Ash, who won the Western State Conference Championships two weeks ago with an 18:38, placed 18th at the state championships with an 18:25.6. Teammate Rhonda Ribar placed 33rd at 18:54.5.