Hernandez places 18th in Ventura Invitational

Candice Hernandez finished 18th in a field of 54 runners in her first college race. (Photo by Scott Fickerson)
Candice Hernandez finished 18th in a field of 54 runners in her first college race. (Photo by Scott Fickerson)

Candice Hernandez took 18th and Danelle Tucker grabbed 40th on Friday afternoon in the season-opening Ventura Invitational women's cross country race at Arroyo Verde Park.

Hernandez, a freshman from Hueneme High in Oxnard, covered the 5K course in 25:32 in her first collegiate race. Tucker, a freshman from Alberta, Canada, clocked in at 29:37.

"I'm proud of Candice and Danelle," said SBCC's 11th-year coach Scott Fickerson. "They have been working hard in training and they were excited to get out and start out the season. I look forward to seeing them improve from here."

Olivia Burton and Tatiana Garcia led a 1-2 finish for Ventura with Burton running 21:49 and Garcia 22:07. Riverside edged Ventura for the team title 29-35.

The Vaqueros return to action in the Southern Cal Preview on Friday, Sept. 14 at Don Knabe Regional Park in Cerritos.