Moorpark, CA — The Valencia Vikings Cross country team opened the official racing season at Arroyo Vista Park in the Moorpark Invitational on Friday. The course was three miles of flat, looping terrain around Arroyo Vista Park’s pedestrian paths and soccer fields. The warmer than hoped for temperatures challenged the Vikings through the day and the competitive fields pushed the team to their limits. Freshman Girls Race Highlights: It was a sea of yellow & purple as the Valencia team had 22 freshman girls in the first race of the day. Overall the Vikings had a strong showing with hot and humid race day conditions, placing second as a team. Emily Farrell carried the team with a 3rd place podium finish, averaging a mile pace just under 7:00 min. Michaella Fenelon ran very smart and edged her way into the top ten at 9th place. Right behind her (14th place) was Emma Buchanan who took out the race at a blistering clip. Gwendalyn Wiercioch, one of Valencia dual athletes (soccer player) in her first ever 3 mile race, placed 16th and was the 4th girl to score for the team. To round out the top 5 Valencia girls, Karisa Flores was fierce out there, placing 21st in her first cross country race ever!! Honorable mentions: Bailey Hayamack 26th, & Teagan Moran 30th. So many of our freshman girls have never run a cross country race before. The girls showed grit and great sportsmanship. I hope they are as proud of their efforts as we are. Sophomore Girls Race Highlights: Veteran Viking Liana Sushinsky showed her experience and strength and raced herself a 5th place spot in the Sophomore girls’ race. New to the team and cross country, Zoe Bawza had a great first race and was the 2nd girl to score on the Viking team. Right behind Zoe was Macy Redin who took a break from running a couple years back, showing she’s finding her fitness placing 3rd to score on the team. 4th Viking is Veteran runner Mariaesperanza Lopez who ran strong despite a summer of injuries and setbacks. Kayden Deschamp toughed it out on the hot course to score as the Viking 5th runner to score for the team. We can’t wait to see what these girls accomplish this season. Junior Girls Race Highlights: In the Junior race, Viking and MSA leader Valentina Soto Navarrete ran with determination and finished 18th. Sam Armitage had to take a substantial amount of time off due to a knee injury, ran a solid tempo pace as instructed to place 2nd on the team. 3rd to finish for the Viking Squad was Sophie Tran. Gracie Brooke, another dual athlete (swimming), took the 4th spot to score on the team. Emily Stimac, who's been showing great improvement in practice, rounded out the Viking’s top 5 scorers. Our Junior girls showed their grace, grit and maturity out there in the sweltering heat! Freshman Boys Race Highlights: Our Viking freshmen runners brought their A-game to the three-mile race. With determination and youthful enthusiasm, they left their mark on the course taking the freshman team title over Crescenta Valley High by one point! Cash Klinger, a true standout in the freshman race, dominated the competition and claimed the top spot with an impressive time of 17:20. His dedication to training and his smart racing in the first mile were on full display as he surged ahead after the one mile to drop his competitors and secure the victory. Phoenix Bailey demonstrated incredible tenacity as he battled his way to a 9th-place finish, crossing the finish line in 18:29. His strong and consistent pace throughout the race showcased his competitive spirit and points to an exceptional talent in his first cross country race. Miles Frizado showed remarkable resilience as he surged ahead in the second half of the race, securing a 21st-place finish. His ability to push through and maintain a blistering pace in the latter part of the race was truly inspiring. Miles is undoubtedly a promising talent with a bright future in cross country. Sophomore Race Highlights: Emilio Oviedo set the course on fire with a remarkable 3rd-place finish in the sophomore race, clocking in at an impressive 16:48. His speed and determination were evident as he powered through the challenging conditions and secured a well-deserved podium finish. Alex Basin displayed his dedication to improvement by achieving a personal record (PR) with a time of 17:58, landing him in 12th place. His hard work and commitment to excellence were evident as he continued to make strides in his running journey. Adam Sandoval's performance was nothing short of inspiring as he achieved a monumental lifetime improvement of 1 minute and 18 seconds, finishing in 18:00. His determination to push his limits and stay tight with a trio of Vikings through most of the race, shows how working as a team can push individuals to their best. Connor Landress demonstrated remarkable progress by shaving off an impressive 40 seconds from his previous personal record (PR). His ability to rise to the occasion and push through the tough moments in practice paid dividends in this race and were truly commendable. Senior Race Highlights: Ayden Buchanan, a senior with an indomitable spirit, conquered the course with a spectacular 3rd-place finish. Clocking in at 15:39, he not only secured a podium spot but also achieved a lifetime best at three miles, shaving off an impressive 14 seconds from his previous record. Ayden's performance was highlighted by a strong finish in the last 800 meters, showcasing his exceptional speed and determination. Grant Young displayed incredible resilience, starting the season on a high note with a solid race that landed him in 14th place. Grant's time of 16:31 demonstrated his unwavering determination and toughness on the course. As a coaching staff, we couldn't be prouder of our athletes. They showcased their talent, determination, and teamwork in tough conditions, and their achievements serve as a testament to the hard work and commitment they put into their training. Congratulations to all our runners for their remarkable performances at the Moorpark Invitational! Viking Boys' results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/145DHJr5dx_FkAH85NbQMXT3V11138rmdQC5-jNz1XF4/edit?usp=sharing Viking Girls' results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TMLVXYgt-RO2X-v37ebl-CgbxXDycl-Ej2QvcBLfC40/edit?usp=sharing Complete Race Results: https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/568455-moorpark-cross-country-invite-2023/results