Ramirez is sixth; Vaqueros take third in WSC Championships

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.