JUNIOR COLLEGE CROSS-COUNTRY / STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : Glendale Teams Plan to Make Up for Lost Time

The Glendale College men’s and women’s cross-country teams will try to turn the bitter disappointment of two weeks ago into sweet success today when the state junior college cross-country championships are held at Woodward Park in Fresno.

The Vaquero men were expected to win their fourth consecutive Western State Conference title and the Glendale women were favored to win their second in the last three years Nov. 9 at Hart Park in Bakersfield. However, they missed the race because their coaches thought the meet was scheduled for Nov. 12.

“The kids were really upset about what happened,” men’s Coach Eddie Lopez said. “We all were. But I think they’ve used it as motivation. They’ve had some great workouts in the last week.”

Glendale’s disappointment was somewhat tempered by the knowledge that both of their teams had qualified for the state meet by finishing fourth in the Johnie O Invitational on Oct. 30 at Moorpark College, but Lopez said his team is eager to take out its frustrations in the state meet.

“We want to finish the season on a positive note,” he said. “(The men’s team) is shooting for third. We think we’re ready to beat (Mt. San Antonio College).”

Mt. SAC finished third in the Johnie O meet behind Cuyamaca and Riverside, but 49 points ahead of Glendale. Yet Lopez is confident that the Vaqueros can gain the upper hand.

“Our guys have been running (personal bests) in workouts this week,” Lopez said. “They’re ready to roll.”

The Glendale women, led by Auria Roberto, also appear capable of a top-five finish.

Antelope Valley’s Mark Sinderson is expected to be the area’s top individual finisher in the men’s race. Sinderson placed fifth in the Johnie O meet and Marauder Coach Mark Covert said similar success is possible.

“Sinderson is in better shape now than he was at Moorpark so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the top five,” Covert said.

Roberto and Teresa Santana of Antelope Valley appear capable of top-15 finishes in the women’s race.