Partida returns for women, Vega shines for men

REDLANDS, Calif. - Senior Darlene Partida made her 2009 debut on Saturday morning at the Bulldog Invitational with a 28th place finish to help the Poets to a sixth place finish as a team. The men had just one runner compete as Jordan Vega finished 63rd-out-of 130 runners.

Vega ran the 6K course in 21:34 with an average mile of 5:47.

On the women's side there were 106 runners as six of Whittier's seven runners finished in the top 50 percent of the race.

Partida ran a strong 19:27 with an average mile of 6:58 but was outdone by a freshman Guadalupe Ulloa who was the Poets' top finishers. Ulloa placed 21st in a time of 18:56 with a 6:47 average on her mile.

Sophomore Susie Orona (36th place) was just 34 seconds behind Partida with a 20:01 while junior Jessica Mena and freshman Evelyn Cruz rounded out the Whittier top five.

Mena ran a 20:16 and finished 43rd while Cruz clocked in at 20:53 in 47th place.

Sophomore Michele Callaway did not compete for Whittier.

The Poets return to action next Saturday at 9 am as they take part in the Sundodger Invitational in Seattle, Wash.

Men's Results: Bulldog Invitational 6K
Women's Results: Bulldog Invitational 4500m