MXC: Bryce Gardhouse anchors second straight WSC cross country team title for Moorpark

The men crown themselves champions again. | ORIGINAL RELEASE

After capturing a Western State Conference title for the first time in 25 years last fall, the Moorpark College men's cross country team set a goal of repeating that same feat this season. On their home course, each runner ran not only with their legs but also their heart, as the team pulled off the nearly impossible by claiming the team's second straight conference title in as many years thanks to four Raiders that finished in the top ten.

Bryce Gardhouse crossed the finish line first in 20 minutes and 15 seconds to crown himself the individual champion, which hasn't been done at Moorpark College since Charlie Petrie in 2010. Matt Russell was fourth (20:42), Johnny Slone finished sixth, and Marcus Fehlman was ninth (21:05).

The first mile saw four Raiders in the front pack, Russell, Slone, Fehlman, and Diego Rivera. As the four-mile race progressed, athletes started making their moves. Gardhouse gradually made his move to the front pack and with half of a mile to go, he took the lead.  Bryce ran smoothly all the way to the finish line.

Sean McArthur rounded out the top five, placing 24th in a time of 21:51.

Wyatt Tack (22:33) and Steven Solitare (22:40) were the 6th and 7th finishers for the Raiders. Diego Rivera (23:04/35th), Drew Levy (23:14/41st), Nicholas Williams (23:29/42nd), Gabe Sanders (23:49/49th) and Max Kirkhope (23:52/50th) all finished in the top 50% of the finishers. 

The Raiders won the meet by one point, edging Bakersfield by a point, 44-45. Glendale finished third with 70 points.