Perry takes ninth, Cohen 18th in season opener

Charles Perry claimed ninth place in the Moorpark Challenge men's cross country race on Friday morning at Moorpark College. The temperature reached 100 degrees during the season-opening race.

Perry, a sophomore from San Marino High, was 20th after the first mile of the 4-mile race and steadily moved up to finish ninth in 25:09. Jake Eisler, an unattached runner, was the winner in 23:02, three seconds ahead of Moorpark's Noah Perez.

"Charlie ran a smart, controlled race," said 10th-year head coach Scott Fickerson.

Michael Cohen, a freshman from Santa Ynez, placed 18th in his first college race.

"He started out well but the heat and two big hills caught up to him a bit at the end," said Fickerson of Cohen. "He stayed tough to finish 18th in 27:50."

There were six schools and 25 runners in the race. Only two schools fielded full teams and Oxnard beat Moorpark 23-32.

The Vaqueros return to action in the Southern Cal Preview on Friday, Sept. 15 at Central Park in Saugus.