By Gilberto Manzano

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The three-mile cross country course at Lake Casitas in Ojai isn’t for the meek.

It’s often hot and dry. Dust kicks up, and runners struggle to breathe and see what’s in front of them. Then there are the formidable hills.

When the Ventura County Cross Country Championships arrives at Lake Casitas, runners stop complaining.

High schools across Acorn country participated in last weekend’s county meet.

Oak Park High’s boys and Simi Valley’s girls teams captured varsity team titles.

Oak Park Eagles Sahm Bazargan and Patrick Thedinga took first and second place, respectively, in the boys’ race.

Bazargan, a junior, recorded a time of 15 minutes, 25.07 seconds, while Thedinga crossed the finish line two seconds later.

“I knew they would be in the top-five,” said Oak Park head coach Al Calce. “I didn’t know if they would have had enough to go first and second.

“They ran a real smart race. They didn’t get out too fast. A couple kids jumped out and they didn’t bite. They held back.”

Westlake junior Mikey Giguere finished fifth (15:50.77) in the varsity boys’ race. The Warrior said he could have run faster if he wore flat running shoes.

“I was pretty tired after that first mile there,” Giguere said at the finish line. “For this course, we’re still wearing trainers. We still haven’t switched into flats yet.

“Our team is hoping to make some big improvements from here on out.”

Westlake finished third behind champion Oak Park and secondplace Simi Valley.

The Warriors and Pioneers meet today for the Marmonte League finals at Agoura.

Newbury Park junior Jonathan Byrne snagged third place (15:34.37) in the varsity boys’race.

Simi Valley junior superstar Sarah Baxter captivated the crowd.

Baxter received national media attention after a record-breaking 16-minute run at the Oct. 20 Mt. SAC Invitational.

The dynamic junior didn’t match her incredible performance, but Baxter still cruised to first place in 17:15.01 for her third straight Ventura County title.

Baxter said the race wasn’t easy.

“It was fast,” Baxter said. “It was hard and it was straining. I was fine going at cruise control pace, but it was a tough course.”

Baxter is becoming a legend— numerous fans asked her for autographs and pictures.

Monika Gyalay, a Moorpark sophomore, finished second in the girls’ varsity race (18:07.29).

Sophomore Pioneer Sarah Riggs (18:28.19) sealed third.

George McGuigan of Thousand Oaks placed 19th in the freshman boys’ race with a time of 18:39.44.

McGuigan, who grew up playing soccer and field hockey, joined the Lancer cross country team with encouragement from his brother, Jed, a TOHS tennis player.

Jed McGuigan doesn’t run, but he’s friends with Lancers Chris Garvin, Ben Thomas and Chris Trujillo.

“All of my brother’s friends run,” George McGuigan said. “(Jed’s) the odd guy out of the group.”

Entering the Ventura County Championships, Camarillo junior Sierra Najolia wanted to redeem herself after a disappointing outing in 2011. Her goal was to medal.

The Scorpion reached her goal by securing 10th in the junior varsity girls’ race.

Najolia’s younger brothers, Diego and Joey, and grandparents cheered from the sidelines.

Najolia clocked in at 21:48.07, a two-minute improvement from last year’s race.

The Scorpion still isn’t a big fan of the course.

“I love the place, the lake and the camping,” she said. “The course is a different story. It’s not my favorite, but I just went out there and competed.”

The Moorpark varsity boys’ squad napped before warming up for the last race of the day.

“I don’t like waiting around,” said Frank Kline, a Musketeer senior. “We set up a tarp and just sleep. We’re known for that.”

Kline, who recently moved from Sacramento, walked the Lake Casitas course before the varsity race like a lone wolf.

“No one wanted to walk the course with me,” Kline said. “I’m all by myself. They already know it and didn’t want to waste their energy.”

Moorpark placed fifth as a team.

Musketeer Michael Keller, a senior team captain, gave Moorpark sophomores advice.

“I tried to motivate them to run better than I have in the past,” Keller said. “It’s a very hilly, very hot and a dry course. Last year, I pretty much almost died.”

Amanda Wendt, a sophomore for the La Reina junior varsity team, recorded a personal-best time for the Lake Casitas course in 22:00.49.

Wendt hopes to improve on her time for today’s Tri-Valley League finals at Lake Casitas.

“I’m running this course next week,” said Wendt, who finished 29th. “I’m trying to get ready for it.

“It feels really good to be in the top 30. I’m really proud of myself.”

Rio Mesa junior Matt Griffith said his goal was to pass runners he normally finishes behind.

Sophomore Jimmy FitzGerald, the Spartans No. 1 varsity boy, enjoyed a standout performance in his first Lake Casitas race.

FitzGerald clocked in with a personal-best time of 15:58.73, good for 12th place.

FitzGerald played football at Rio Mesa as a freshman.

“I don’t like football anymore,” FitzGerald said. “I’m a runner.”

Camarillo runners Esteban Vega and Joel Gonzalez represented the Pacific View League well.

Vega and Gonzalez finished fourth and eighth, respectively, in the varsity boys’ race.

Leah Jansen, an Agoura sophomore, said she didn’t enjoy running on the hilly and dusty course, but crossing the finish line makes it worthwhile.

“It’s rewarding knowing you finished a tough course,” Jansen said.

Sophomore Charger Jessica Jelinski reunited with teammates from the United Track youth club.

“I like the vibe with all the teams here,” Jelinski said. “It’s nice to see everyone again from United Track Club.”

Jelinski still ran with an edge.

“There was a Westlake girl behind me,” she said, “so I made sure to beat her.”

On Halloween weekend, many runners sported costumes.

Sporting spooky outfits during the Ventura County Championships is a tradition for Simi Valley.

One Pioneer donned an alien costume, sneaking behind unsuspecting runners before giving them a scare.

Another Simi Valley runner, dressed up as a purple unicorn, ambled on all fours.

“It’s mandatory for the smallest boy on the team to put on the unicorn costume,” said Simi Valley sophomore Sarah Ruiz, who finished 21st in the girls’ frosh-soph race.

The Simi Valley girls’ varsity squad crushed the competition with a team-total 25 points.

Newbury Park finished second with 109 points while Moorpark (115 points) was third.

Five Pioneer girls finished in the top-10.

Ashlyn Custodero, a freshman Pioneer, said she admires the varsity girls.

“It’s inspiring to work with them,” said Custodero, who medaled in the frosh-soph competition. “I look up to them. Just knowing that they’re working hard makes me try my hardest.”

The Royal varsity girls’ team finished 11th. Highlander sophomore Brianne Holland (19:16.46) placed 11th.

Senior Vince Asturi (16:04.64, 16th place) paced the Royal varsity boys, who took seventh.

Camarillo’s seven varsity girls finished within the top-70 to capture medals.

Senior Scorpion Kathleen Dunne clocked in at 19:22.99 to take 14th place.

Scorpion Meghan O’Connell had fun, despite cramping during the race.

“I drank a lot of water before the race,” O’Connell said. “I even poured water on myself. I didn’t see that coming.”