LBCC Cross Country Opens Season with 2nd Place Finishes at Pirate Invitational
The LBCC men's and women's cross-country teams opened their 2025 season with strong performances at the Pirate Invitational.
Contributed by Marcus Carroll:
The Long Beach City College men's and women's cross-country teams opened their 2025 season with strong performances at the Pirate Invitational, hosted at Ventura College's demanding Arroyo Verde Park course. Both squads placed second overall in the team standings, setting the tone for the fall campaign early.
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Women's Team — 2nd Place Team Finish
The Viking women put together a balanced team effort, finishing runner-up in the team scores. Sophomore Itzel Aguilar paced the squad with a standout performance, clocking 21:22 for 5,000 meters to lead LBCC's scoring five. Aguilar's strong opening race helped anchor the group's consistency on the hilly, switchback course, while the supporting cast closed well to secure the second-place finish.
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Men's Team— 2nd Place Team Finish
On the men's side, the Vikings were led by sophomore Jamari Gibson, who turned in a winning performance over the 4-mile layout. Gibson broke away late to cross the line in 22:37.5, claiming the individual victory. The remainder of the Viking pack ran with poise, holding position through the middle miles and finishing in a tight spread to lock down the second-place team result.
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Next Up — Clovis Invitational / State Preview
Both Viking squads will now turn their attention north to Woodward Park in Fresno, where they will compete at the Clovis Invitational/State Meet Preview on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The meet serves as a key checkpoint on the state championship course and will feature some of the top programs from across California, providing the Vikings with an important early-season test.
