The American River College women’s cross country team started their season by winning the Northern California title at the Fresno Invitational on Saturday, September 7th. This event is a preview for the state meet championships to be held later this season. Sophomore Alexa Lua (Del Oro HS) led her squad by finishing 7th overall in 19:24 over the 5K course. Freshman Kandace Compton (El Camino HS) finished 9th in 19:33. Both Beavers hit lifetime bests over this course.

Sophomores Natalie Berania (Pleasant Grove HS) and Zoe Worobel (West Campus HS) finished 33rd in 20:35 and 47th in 21:02 respectively. In her premier cross country race, freshman Iuliia Lytvynova (Evapatoria HS, Ukraine) finished 59th in 21:19. Finishing sixth and seventh for the Beavers were freshman Jocelyn Schmidt (Bella Vista HS) in 63rd with 21:27, and sophomore Tara Christopherson (Rosemont HS) in 72nd with 21:45. Also competing for the Beaver squad were freshmen Kyrah Vaughn (Whitney HS) with a time of 22:07, and Miranda Marshall (Del Oro HS) with 23:35.

Competing against over 160 student-athletes from 19 teams, ARC finished in 5th place overall in addition to winning the Northern California top honors. The Beavers are off to a good start individually as well, with seven new lifetime personal bests. Head Coach Jeanette Powless comments, “The ladies proved great improvements over last year’s talented squad and have more depth to perform better as a team this season. We’re looking forward to one of the best seasons ARC has had in over 10 years. ” The team will preview the Big 8 Conference Championship Course in Modesto this week on Friday, September 13th. The meet is scheduled to begin at 3:45 at Tuolumne River Regional Park in Modesto. Go Beavers!