Oxnard, CA — At the Jaguar Invitational in Oxnard, CA, the Valencia Vikings Cross Country team demonstrated exceptional grit despite the sweltering heat and humidity, with temperatures reaching the low 90s. The flat course, looping around Del Sol High School's athletic fields and adjacent dirt lot, proved to be a tough challenge. The Varsity Viking Boys team triumphed with a commanding performance, capturing the team title and securing the individual victory. Their strong finishes were a testament to their preparation and adaptability in the face of the tough conditions. Cash Klinger was first across the line in 15:44 followed closely by Luis Torres Orrala in 3rd place with a huge PR at 16:40. Emilio Oviedo was a hair behind in 4th also at 16:40 with the scoring filled in by Adam Sandoval and Luke Rezkallah both at 17:05. The Varsity Lady Vikings gave a commendable effort, showcasing their competitive spirit and determination. Overall, it was a successful outing for the Vikings, marked by strong individual performances. Emily Farrell placed 3rd at 19:18, Liana Sushinsky was 9th in 20:30, and Micaella Fenelon had a huge PR finishing 12th in 21:03. The Frosh-Soph Boys team also achieved a thrilling victory, narrowly winning their race by just 5 points. Adrian So (11:46, 2nd) and Zeke Brook (11:51, 3rd) led the charge with standout performances in the two mile event. Garrett Bruemmer was a solid third man finishing 6th at 12:09 with three more Vikings in the top 11! The Frosh-Soph Girls team also delivered an impressive performance, finishing in third place. This result was particularly noteworthy given that it was the first cross country race for the majority of the squad. Anika Bhattacharya led the group in 6th place at 15:09. The JV Boys team placed third missing out on second by only one point. Nehemiah Pop led the group with a strong finish in 18:00 with Rhett Klinger (18:03) and Jake Robideau (18:23)also in the top 10. The JV Girls team had some strong individual performances with Valentina Soto Navarette as the top Viking finishing eighth in 23:39 and Arianna Reyes McCarthy stepping up to the longer distance and delivering a solid performance for the team.