Agoura Runners Dameworth, Drossin Favored in Ventura Championships

Bryan Dameworth and Deena Drossin of Agoura High are both favored to win their seventh consecutive race in the Ventura County Cross-Country Championships today at Moorpark College. Camarillo is favored to win the team title.

Dameworth, who placed second in last year’s championships as a freshman, has not lost a race this season. Mike Esparza of Newbury Park, Abe Valdez of Camarillo, Paul McCarter of Thousand Oaks and teammate Peter Oviatt should provide his toughest competition.

Valdez, a sophomore, is expected to lead Camarillo to its first county team title. Defending champion Thousand Oaks and Agoura are expected to battle for second.

Drossin might run away with the girls individual title. The 14-year-old freshman defeated her closest competitor, Jena Haggenmiller of Thousand Oaks, by one minute at the Kenny Staub Invitational in Crescenta Valley two weeks ago.

Behind Drossin, the Chargers could dethrone defending champion Thousand Oaks.

Agoura, the second-ranked team in the Southern Section 2-A Division, defeated Thousand Oaks, the second-ranked team in the 4-A, at the Kenny Staub Invitational.

The meet begins with the boys freshman race at 2:30 p.m.