Women's Cross Country Lands on Podium at Redlands Invite
After nearly two years without competition, the Riverside City College women's cross country team was ready to toe the line at the Redlands Invitational on Saturday morning. The Tigers competed against a trio of Division III competitors and placed third overall.
The Redlands Invitational has acted as the season-opener for Riverside the past three seasons. This year, a new course map handed the Tigers a new challenge.
A new look course map brought the runners around the campus of the University of Redlands beginning on the track, circling around the baseball field, soccer field and around past the aquatic center. It eventually finished back on the track.
The Tiger's podium finish was led by sophomore tandem Helena Valdez and Briana Rodriguez Valdez edged out her counterpart by a handful of second by finishing 18:44.6 and an average mile time of 6:42.1. Rodriguez finished shortly behind with a time of 18:57.5.
Freshman Elani Huntley finished just outside the top-10 in 13th place with a mark of 19:14.4, while freshman Brianna Mendez-Espain placed 17th with a time of 19:38.1.
"It was great to finally get to see the ladies compete after having a year and a half of no competition," said Head Coach Damien Smith. "I'm proud of the way the girls competed and proud of Coach [Mike] Wilson getting the girls ready."
Smith is confident that the Tigers will make waves at the state level.
"I am looking forward to watching the girl's progress throughout the season."
