Women's Cross Country Start Up At SoCal Preview Meet

For the first time in 2022, the Pasadena City College women's cross country team scored as a squad at the SoCal Regional Preview Meet held Friday at Bakersfield's Kern County Regional Soccer Park.

The Lancers, who had to wait a week after the cancellation of last week's Cerritos Invitational, ran five runners at the 5-kilometer race and while they finished in 14th place (last of scoring teams), they were excited to get their feet wet at the meet.

Freshman Maria Jimenez (Verdugo Hills High) placed 108th for the top time by a Lancers' harrier at 25 minutes, 27 seconds. Racing in a pack, the next three PCC runners finished in a row in freshman Sophia Manfre (from Arcadia High, 114th, 26:03), sophomore Estrella Camacho-Rodriguez (115th, 26:09) and letterman Jessica Coffin (116th, 26:33). Newcomer Alejandra Penaloza (a product of Pasadena HS) scored 125th (28:18) to round out the Lancers' group.

Estrella-Camacho did participate at the Cal State San Bernardino Coyote Challenge and placed 56th (26:34) against 4-year university racers. Coffin also participated in 60th place overall.

Coach Innocent Egbunike's Lancers return to action on Saturdady, Oct. 8 when they take part in the Chaffey Invitational.