Orange Coast Is Repeat Winner

Freshman Zoila Gomez finished fifth in 18 minutes 40 seconds to lead the Orange Coast women to their second consecutive state cross-country championship Saturday at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Jen Schindler of American River defended her individual title by completing the 5,000-meter course in 17:47.

Berenice Carbajal finished 11th (19:10) for Orange Coast, which had five runners among the top 30. The Pirates had 74 points, followed by El Camino with 119 and American River with 130.

Sharon Mareno placed 19th in 19:32 to lead Santa Ana, which finished ninth with 264 points.

In the men’s race, Orange Coast’s Rene Acuna was fourth in 20:46, and Saddleback’s Dan Gaston was eighth in 21:00.

Santa Ana was the only county team to place among the top 10 with 256 points. Glendale College was first with 119 points, followed by Moorpark with 139. Fresno City’s Michael Kasahun won the individual title in 20:11, one second shy of the course record.