Santa Monica, CA

Eric Barron--SMC Cross Country Head Coach

After last week's hilly Cuesta College course, the Santa Monica College Men's Cross Country team was looking for faster times on the generally flat Moorpark Invitational course, and for the most part, those times came.  Finn Cawley is quickly racing himself into shape.  His relative performance this week was perhaps the team's best, and he earned top place for the Corsairs.  Without congested lungs, Jack Hockley might have grabbed that spot himself, and he and Finn should look to push each other the next time they race.  Omar Vargas had a good day and also continues to get stronger each race; indeed, this was his fastest effort of the season.  Balmore Montes also put down a season best, but he has finished closer to Omar, and he must fight to keep that gap smaller than what it was at this race.  Rounding out the scoring for the Corsairs, Michael Bardales can look forward to feeling healthier the next time he races.  Eric Montelongo had a solid effort, but recognizes that his fitness has a way to go before he reaches his potential.  Neither Gabriel Lodato nor Giovanni Policarpo ran close to their best times.  Hopefully a block of tapered training will leave them ready to give it their all two weeks from now in their likely season closer in San Dimas.