Alex Ramirez took sixth place in the WSC Men's Cross Country Championships on Friday, leading SBCC to third place which matches the highest finish in coach Scott Fickerson's nine-year tenure.
Ramirez, a sophomore from Buena High, led the Vaqueros for the fifth straight meet with a season-best 21:03 on the 4-mile course at Oxnard College. Cuesta's Sean McDermott won the individual title in 20:31 and Glendale took the team title with 27 points. Cuesta was second with 80.
Jose Tarula had his best race of the year for the Vaqueros, placing 12th in 21:33. Patrick Lownes-Santos was 20th in 22:06 and Jacob Ogawa was 23rd in 22:10. Rounding out the top five was Charlie Perry in 35th place in 22:29.
"We have been aiming for a 1-to-5 spread of 90 seconds and the guys did that today and then some with a 1:26," noted Fickerson. "This will help us out a lot at the So Cal and State meets."
Marcus Dunkel, who missed the first half of the week, ran solidly in 63rd place in 23:36. Jordan Shinn rounded out the top 7 with his 24:43. Aaron Mackey and Victor Santos placed 91st and 92nd, respectively, in 25:23 and 25:27.
Max Cardenas ran his best race of season, taking 100th in 26:20.
"The men ran a really great race and showed what they are capable of," said Fickerson. "We beat two teams ranked in the top 14 of So Cal and were just behind 8th-ranked Cuesta. We've got more in the tank and will be aiming for a top-10 at So Cal. I'm proud of them and am excited to see them toe the line again in two weeks."
The Vaqueros will race in the Southern Cal Championships on Friday, Nov. 4 at Irvine Regional Park.
