Coming off a season where they won their second conference title in three years with a strong group of sophomores, the San Bernardino Valley College women's cross country team knows it has work to do to live up to the past.

This year's freshman laden team started its season on Aug. 31 at the Redlands Invitational with a strong early-season showing that has coach Eric Abrams liking where his team is this early in the season.

Competing against runners from all college levels, freshman Kimberly Pena (Eastvale Roosevelt) led the way for the Wolverines, running up front the entire way to finish fifth overall, second among the community college runners in the race. Sophomore Jayda Martinez (Jurupa Valley Rubidoux), sophomre Jessica Aguilera (Claremont) and freshman Nicole Martinez (Beaumont)  alll finished within eight seconds of each other, keeping a strong pace for the team. Freshman Ximena Martinez (Arroyo Valley) also saw her first action of the season.

The season is just beginning, with the team preparing for the Southern California preview race in two weeks. Abrams is pacing his team to be ready to win the first Inland Empire Athletic Conference championship, and make waves at the Southern California regionals in November.