COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Misdirection Play Adds Intrigue to Preview Meet

The Orange Empire Conference cross-country preview run was supposed to give runners a look at the course that will be used for the conference final in early November.

Instead, the lead packs in the men’s and women’s races went off course Saturday but some quick adjustment by officials ensured each race was completed.

Jose Rangel of Rancho Santiago won the men’s race, which was judged to be about .15 miles too long after the runners missed a turn.

Rangel won in 21 minutes 1 second. He was a step in front of Riverside’s Bashir Hussain, who finished with the same time.

Rancho Santiago had six runners among the top 10 and won with 24 points. Riverside (71) was second and Orange Coast (74) third.

Charlotte Mayock of Riverside, the defending conference champion, won the women’s race, which was supposed to be 5,000 meters. The first 30 runners were misdirected to a shorter loop and finished a minute earlier than expected.

Mayock won in 17:59 after pulling away from Rancho Santiago’s Elli Estrada (18:04) in the final 1,000 meters. Jordi Manley (19:05) of Irvine Valley was third.

Riverside (45) won the team title with Irvine Valley (65) second and Rancho Santiago (67) third.