Speedy Vaqs still rolling

GLENDALE — A fast, flat course at Legg Lake in El Monte was the backdrop for some impressive times for the Glendale Community College women’s and men’s cross-country teams on Saturday morning.

Brianna Jauregui, Rosa Del Toro and Nina Moore turned in a 1-2-3 finish at the top of the women’s race in the Foothill Invitational to compile 22 points and deliver a victory in front of second-place Mt. San Antonio College (72 points), while Frankie Quijada finished sixth in a personal-record 19 minutes 62 seconds to help the men finish second with 64 points behind three-time state champion San Bernardino, which scored 29 points.

“It was a good day, both the men and women really ran fast times,” Glendale college Coach Eddie Lopez said. “I was really pleased. …The men and women both beat Mt. SAC – that was pretty good – San Bernardino was just a tough team for the men [to beat].”

Jauregui ran a blazing 17:20, Del Toro followed in 17:26 and Moore ran a 17:27, as the women’s team ran without Katie Dunn, who was out with illness.

Karen Rosas finished fifth overall in 17:41 to give the women four finishers under 18 minutes and Diana Sanchez (12th, 18:20), Angelina Gonzalez (14th, 18:29), and Jessica Wences (18th, 18:39) rounded out the Vaqueros’ pack.

“With Nina and Brianna up front, it’s gonna be those two and Rosa is getting stronger,” Lopez said. “We’re really led up front by those three. Brianna’s been our No. 1 girl a couple of times and Nina has too. They’re always competing.”

Team captain Quijada continued his strong season and Jonathan Alpizar (10th, 20:04) just missed giving the Vaqueros men two finishers in under 20 minutes.

“It’s the first time in a long time we’ve had a [men’s] kid run under 20 minutes,” Lopez said.

Mayan Mayer was 16th in 20:18, while Rico Gutierrez took 25th in 20:37.

The men also got a 28th-place finish from Francis Herrera in 20:44 and Max Maier (20:46) and Ricky Avila (21:12) were 30th and 45th, respectively.

“They’re getting better at racing,” Lopez said of the men. “And, we ran up to our competition, [San Bernardino’s] just strong and they’re a handful, but we had some good PRs and I’m really pleased about that. …We’re starting to peak.”

Both teams will next compete in the Western State Conference preview meet at 3:30 p.m. at Pierce College on Friday.