Richards, Fulk Qualifies for State at SoCal Regonals

Pirate freshman Brianna Richards ran in sixth place Friday in the Southern California Regional Championships to qualify for the 3C2A State Finals on Nov. 23 in Fresno. Meanwhile, the Pirate men ran as a team, finishing just out of a state qualifying spot, placing 17th. Henry Fulk finished 59th overall, also qualifying for state as an individual.

Richards continued her stellar season running the 5k course at the Liberty Station Naval Training Center Park in San Diego in 18:26 to cross the finish line sixth. Other Pirate runners included Natalie Kreil, who ran a 25:18 5k to finish in 130th, Dulce Quezada, finishing 136th in 26:34, and Andrea Rizo, coming in 144th in 31:38. A total of 147 runners competed.

Meanwhile, Fulk led the effort in the men's 4-mile race with a time of 21:43 to finish 59th. Marcelo Mendoza ran a 22:35 to finish 99th and Aiden Plew was 112th in 22:52. Nathan Lopez finished one spot behind in 22:56 and Carmelo Betanzos came in 116th in 23:03. Other Ventura runners included Julian Arenas (133rd, 23:30) and Julian Pachon (142nd, 23:49). 184 competitors ran the men's race.

The Pirates totaled  481 points to finish 17th of 27 teams. They were eight points behind No 16 Canyons for the final team spot at the state championships.