Glendale’s Runners Pull Off a Sweep

Glendale College swept the men’s and women’s team and individual titles in the Western State Conference cross-country championships at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo on Thursday.

Jose Merino of Glendale won the men’s title with a time of 21:15.7 over the four-mile course to lead the Vaqueros to a 48-49 victory over Bakersfield.

Moorpark, two-time defending state champion, was third with 62 points.

Julie Harris, from Canyon High, set a course record of 18:59.6 in the 5,000-meter women’s race to help the Vaqueros to a 52-103 victory over Valley.

The Glendale and Bakersfield men split the first two conference meets of the season, but the Vaqueros had five of the top 14 finishers this time to overcome a Renegade squad that had three of the top eight runners.

Jorge Lopez of Glendale finished 10th in 21:55.2 and was followed by teammates Rafael Ramos in 11th at 22:02.4, Eduardo Diaz in 12th at 22:06.9 and Juan Fernandez in 14th at 22:13.2.

Todd Disney finished third in 21:28.4 for Moorpark.

Harris was Glendale’s only top-10 finisher in the women’s race, but Kelly Sill placed 11th in 21:09.9. She was followed by teammates Cheryl Ramos in 12th at 21:17.6, Alma Mata in 13th at 21:33.3 and Imelda Santos in 15th at 21:42.2.