Southwestern harriers claim top times at Rio Hondo Invitational

idual finishers at last Friday’s fourth annual Rio Hondo Classic in South El Monte. Sophomore George Martinez captured the men’s race in 19 minutes, 35 seconds, while SWC freshman Aminat Olowara won the women’s race by timing a meet record 16:33.

The Jaguars won the men’s team title by out-pointing runner-up Riverside 34-62, while the Southwestern women’s team placed runner-up to team champion Riverside by a score of 36-42.

Martinez, who finished second among individuals at last year’s Rio Hondo Classic, was one of five SWC runners to finish among the top 12 individuals in the 2014 men’s race. Following his lead were freshmen Bryan Alvarado (fourth, 19:58) and Gerardo Marquillo (sixth, 20:22) and sophomores Carlos Ponce (11th, 20:47) and Jonathan Patron (12th, 20:52).
Martinez won by a 15-second margin over El Camino sophomore Teddy Kassa (19:50).

Olowara, from Aunty Ayds Girls School in Nigeria, was one of three Jags harriers to place among the top six finishers. Erika Gonzalez placed third in 17:59 while fellow freshman Karina Cantera was sixth in 19:00.

Two more freshmen rounded out SWC’s top five scorers: Jasmine Vasquez (16th, 19:47) and Stephanie Legault (18th, 19:58).

Olowara won by a whopping margin of one minute, 19 seconds.

A total of 180 community college runners participated in the event.