Tove Berg led the way as the women’s cross-country team captured its third consecutive Western State Conference Oct. 23 at the Cuesta Fairbanks track in San Luis Obispo.

The Lady Vaq’s, currently ranked first in the state, is undefeated so far this year.

Berg finished the 3.1-mile course in 18 minutes 40 seconds. She was followed by fellow Vaqs Vivien Wadeck, who finished second with a time of 19:15; Justina Sadauskaite, who finished fifth at 20:19; Desiree Ruiz, who finished sixth at 20:40; and Amanda Barreto, who finished eighth at 20:56.

“This win was a combination of talent and putting in the miles,” said head coach Eddie Lopez. “This is our third year in a row, so we were favored to win this year. We were second in state last year and third the year before so this is something we try to maintain.”

The men’s team finished second in conference. They were led by Luis Castaneda who finished third with a time of 22:07. Josh Edmonson finished fifth at 22:32, Mike Flowers finished eighth at 22:55, Masahi Wada finished 20th at 23:44, and Edgar Santa Cruz finished 21st at 23:15. The men last won the Western State Conference in 2005.

Both teams continue to the Southern California Championships Saturday, where they are the defending champs. “We’re peaking at the right time,” Lopez said.

The meet was originally slated to be run in Irvine. However, due to the recent wild fires, it will be held at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut.

“We’re not sure where we are going to run, but we are ready no matter where that will be,” Lopez said.