Pirates set the pace to win OEC championship
The Orange Coast College women's cross-country team ended a 12-year drought in capturing the Orange Empire Conference title on Friday morning at Saddleback College. The Pirates had six harriers named to the all-conference team following the race.
Orange Coast hadn't won a conference title since 2013, which was the last of 18 straight titles for the Pirates dating back to 1996. Orange Coast was eager to put that spooky streak behind them on Friday, and Halloween seemed to be the perfect day to brew up a championship potion.
Orange Coast dominated the event, finishing with a team score of 24. The Pirates had five of the top eight overall finishers to distance themselves from second place Saddleback College.
Jocelyn Alba cruised to the win, finishing the 5k trek in 18:15.5. She was nearly 11 seconds ahead of Kiana Zerehgar from Saddleback College in claiming the Orange Empire Conference Runner-of-the-Year Award.
Following Alba to the finish line from Orange Coast was Jasmin Trujillo (3rd, 18:31), Alejandra Reyburn (6th, 19:18), Mariana Hernandez (8th, 19:42) and Belle Baker (9th, 19:44) to round out the team score. All seven Pirates finished in the top-16, including Isabel Ramirez (13th, 20:47) and Cassandra Garcia (16th, 21:23).
Saddleback finished second in the event and had two runners making the all-conference team. Following Zerehgar for the Bobcats was Shae Barrera, who finished seventh.
Riverside City College finished third at the event and Fullerton College was fourth.
For a complete video of the race, click HERE.
The Pirates, ranked No. 2 in the state, will now compete at the Southern California Regional Meet, set for Friday at NTC Park/Liberty Station in San Diego, beginning at 10 a.m.
