Up next for the beavers is the Northern California Championships on Sat. Nov. 7^th, in San Mateo, on the Crystal Springs course.

Women’s Cross Country
Mt. Sac.  Invitational October 16, 2009

Beaver ladies round up another good performance at the 35^th annual Mt. San. Antonio Cross Country Invitational on Oct. 16, 2009.  With 39 teams in attendance, the ladies were the first team from Northern California and were the 9^th place community college from California.

Sophomore stand out Claire Jenkins led the squad by finishing 20:17 over this prestigious and challenging 5K.  Courtney Anderson came through in (20:23), followed by Anna Mendoza (21:13), Michelle Reyes (22:44) and Danna Juarez (22:50). Monique Leacox and Kelsey Slagle finished up the beaver squad.
 

Viking Invitational, October 9, 2009
Newhall Park, Concord

Another win for the ARC Cross Country team at the Viking Invitational on October 9, 2009 at Newhall Park hosted by Diablo Valley College. Team scores were as follows:

   1) ARC-26
   2) Santa Rosa-57
   3) Santa Jose-63
   4) Diablo Valley-82

Claire Jenkins led the team with her 3^rd place finish in 21:00. She was working with teammate Anna Mendoza who finished 4^th in 21:21. Courtney Anderson and  Monique Leacox tied for 8^th in 22:29, followed by Michelle Reyes and Veronica Pardo. Pardo was the most improved slicing 35 seconds off her previous best to finish in 22:30.  Mary Pena also posted a personal best with teammate Kelsey Slagle.   

Next week (Oct. 16^th) is the prestigious Mt. Sac. Invitational in Southern California.
 

Crystal Springs, October 2, 2009
Belmont Hills, San Mateo

The closest competition of the season came on the Belmont Hills cross country course in San Mateo on October 2, 2009. With just 2 points separating 2-4^th place teams. ARC women came in a close 4^th with 94 points after De Anza 93, Cerritos 92 and Hartnell 74. Sacramento City was fifth (125) followed by Academy of Arts (145), Modesto (189), Fresno (209), Butte (218), Sierra (221) to round out the top 10 teams.

No surprise was Claire Jenkins leading her squad by finishing 4^th in 19:26 over the challenging and hilly course.  Courtney Anderson was the next beaver in 19:53 followed by Michelle Reyes (20:43), Anna Mendoza (21:03), Danna Juarez (22:06), Monique Leacox (23:02) and Kelsey Slagle (24:27) to round out the top seven beavers.

Next week is the Diablo Valley College Invitational on Friday, October 9 in Concord.
 

Lou Vasquez Invitational, September 24, 2009
Golden Gate Park

All eleven of the ARC Beaver Cross Country ladies finished with a seasonal best time at the Golden Gate Park Course in San Francisco on Thursday, September 24. 

No surprise was sophomore team leader, Claire Jenkins, who led the team to another 2nd place finish in the field of 14 full finishing teams.  Jenkins was 7th overall in 19:16.  She was followed by Courtney Anderson at 19:40, Michelle Reyes (20:26), Anna Mendoza (21:08), Danna Juarez (21:22), Monique Leacox (22:14), Kelsey Slagle who sliced 3:06 off her previous best (22:34), Veronica Pardo (23:06) and Mary Pena (24:59).

"I told the team we could get an average time of 20:30, and they actually had an average of 20:23.  It was great to see such significant improvements this early in the season", says coach Powless. 

Team scores were:

1) LA Trade Tech
2) ARC
3) De Anza
4) Cuesta
5) Sac City
5) Hartnell
7) Moorpark
8) Modesto
9) Fresno
10) Santa Rosa
11) San Francisco
12) Butte
13) San Jose
14) Allan Hancock 

Beaver Invitational, September 19, 2009
American River College

Racking up their first win of the season, the ARC Cross Country ladies swept the title with an impressive 23 points.  Hot conditions along with a challenging course at Beal’s Point/Folsom Lake made this event more impressive.  Fresno was second with 54 points followed by Santa Rosa with 58.  Other competing schools include Diablo Valley, Delta, West Hills and Butte.  On the challenging

Claire Jenkins led her squad again finishing second with her 19:49.  She was followed by teammates Courtney Anderson (20:33), Michelle Reyes (21:03), Simone Julian (21:40), Anna Mendoza (21:54), Danna Juarez (22:30), Monique Leacox (22:57), Veronica Pardo ( 23:19) and Kim Duke (24:58).

“We had a good 1-5 spread in just 2:05, which is really good for this early in the season.  Also, with an average 5k time of 20:59, we’re moving in the right direction to get them all under 20 by the end of the season”, says Coach Powless.
 

Fresno Invitational, September 12, 2009

ARC Lady Beavers opened their season with a good showing at the Fresno Invitational. With 27 community colleges in attendance ARC finished 9^th and were awarded the 2^nd place team from Northern California. 

Returning sophomore standout Claire Jenkins (of Pioneer HS) led her team with her 19:46, 5K for 17^th overall, followed by Courtney Anderson (Folsom HS) 20:28, 38^th. The only other sophomore, Michelle Reyes, was next in 63^rd at 21:21. Anna Mendoza (Roseville HS) was the 4^th beaver lady 21:57, followed by Monique Leacox (Canyon Oaks HS) in 22:45 to round out the top 5 finishers.

"It was a good showing for our season opener” says Coach Powless. “We have a wonderful group of ladies who are willing to work hard for their team. I’m really optimistic about the possibilities for this years squad”.

Next week (September 19) is the only home cross country meet at Beale’s Point (Folsom Lake). It’s The Beaver Invitational with starting times of 10:00 for the women and 11:00 for the men. Come out and cheer on these great squads.  Go Beavers!