Vikings runners gain team titles

The Diablo Valley College cross country program enjoyed a historic day at the Pat Ryan Invitational in Santa Rosa.

For the first time in coach Shelly Pierson's six years heading the program, the Vikings men's and women's teams both earned team championships.

"Friday was a great day for DVC cross country," Pierson said.

DVC's Ben Bennett, Keith Lowry and Kin Wong finished 1-2-3 in the men's 4-mile race, leading the Vikings to first place with 69 points. De Anza was second with 77. Bennett was timed in 21 minutes and 37 seconds, three seconds ahead of Lowry and 13 seconds ahead of Wong. Rounding out the Vikings' top seven were Warsame Mohamed (31st), Logan Portillo (32nd), Jules Korma (33rd) and Austin Hinds (37th).

In the women's 5,000-meter race, DVC sisters Alexandria and Kate Embody finished second and fifth, in times of 19:25 and 20:02. Ariana Corwin was eighth in 20:21. Cristina Fierro was 27th in 22:07. Itzel Martinez rounded out the DVC top five, finishing 52nd in 26:19.

Football

The young Vikings (2-1) endured a tough 35-34 loss to host Modesto (2-1) on Saturday night, in which they squandered an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter.

DVC will look to rebound at home against Siskiyous (1-2) on Friday night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Quarterback Drew Anderson was 35 for 59 passing for 398 yards and four touchdowns, and was picked off twice. He is ranked No. 2 in the state in passing yards at 343.3 a game, and is tied for first in touchdown passes with 11. Nick West had a breakout game with 11 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown, and CJ Cornwell had 11 receptions for 128 yards in a touchdown. He remains as the state leader in receptions with 29.

After Anderson completed touchdown passes to Nick West and Dimitri Salido to increase the Vikings' lead to 34-16, Modesto scored the game's final 19 points, all on passes from quarterback Trey Cooper.

Overall, the Vikings made some uncharacteristic mistakes. Top defensive lineman Marc Anthony Hor went down with an injury in the first quarter.

Women's soccer

The Vikings (3-1-2) had a productive week with room to grow.

They earned an impressive 0-0 draw with NorCal power Fresno and a 2-0 win over Chabot, working their fourth consecutive shutout.

Sophomore Julia Curran scored her third game-winning goal in the past four games against the Gladiators, and right back Andrea Weinstein rounded out the scoring on an assist from Ashley Scannell.

The Vikings will open Big 8 play against powerful Santa Rosa (6-0) on Friday.

Women's water polo

The impressive Vikings (9-0) swept to five victories last week by a combined 84-23 score.

Goalie Katie Ramm, an Acalanes High graduate, had a great game in a 14-4 win over host Coast Conference power Foothill in the Owl Classic. She also was strong in a 14-2 victory over Cuesta.

The Vikings, who beat host Sierra 18-11 on Sept. 16 to open Big 8 Conference play, have six field players back from a team that finished third in the state, and are improved at the goalie position with three capable competitors.

DVC will continue conference play with their home opener against American River on Wednesday.

Men's water polo

The Vikings (6-3) followed strong showings in the Navy Open and Princeton Invitational with a 3-2 record against top-flight community college competition last week.

After routing host Sierra 23-11 to open Big 8 Conference play on Sept. 16, DVC went 2-2 in the prestigious Cuesta tournament. The Vikings beat Riverside 17-11 and Cuesta 14-8, and lost to reigning state champion Golden West 12-10 and 2014 state runner-up Long Beach 14-9.

DVC will continue conference play at home against American River (0-7) on Wednesday.

Women's volleyball

The Vikings (4-3) lost twice by 3-0 scores to Siskiyous and San Francisco, before upending Chabot 3-1. Jamie Chow and Sita Manoa combined for 32 assists against the Gladiators, and Noelle Vleisides had 11 kills and 13 digs.

DVC opens Big 8 play at home against Sierra on Sept. 30.
-- Matt Schwab