All-County First Team: Boys' Cross Country

Photo by Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star

Geno Arthur

RIO MESA, SENIOR

Arthur won the Ventura County Championships with a time of 15 minutes, 25 seconds at Lake Casitas, then turned in two very consistent postseason performances, finishing ninth in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 Championships at 15:18 and 11th at the state meet in 15:43. The 5-foot-10, 135-pound senior was Boys State runner-up at Rio Mesa. He is undecided about his college choice. Arthur enjoys playing the guitar, participating in church activities and hanging out with friends. His favorite movie is "Inception" and he likes watching "The Big Bang Theory" on TV. His favorite band is Death Cab for Cutie, he likes eating pizza, his favorite athlete is Drew Brees and his favorite team is the Los Angeles Angels.

Photo by Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star

Joel Gonzalez

CAMARILLO, JUNIOR

Gonzalez came away with a 24th-place finish in the CIF state championships with a time of 15:47 after finishing 13th the week before in the CIF-SS Division 2 final in 15:26. His time of 16:02 at the Ventura County Championships was good for eighth place. The 5-foot-8, 130-pounder likes to play soccer and also enjoys doing magic and yo-yo tricks. Gonzalez's favorite film is "Rio" and "Family Guy" is his favorite TV show. Eminem and Kanye West are his favorite singers and Lionel Messi is his top athlete. He likes eating pizza.

Photo by Rob Varela, Ventura County Star

Mikey Giguere

WESTLAKE, SOPHOMORE

The highlight of Giguere's sophomore year was winning the Marmonte League Championships with a time of 15:28. He placed sixth at the Ventura County Championships in 15:52. He had a time of 14:52 on the rain-shortened Mount San Antonio College rain course for the CIF-SS Division 2 prelims and took 16th in the CIF-SS final in 15:27. Giguere won scholar athlete and California Scholarship Federation honors. His hobbies include fishing and playing pingpong and watching "Two and a Half Men." "Due Date" is his favorite movie and lasagna is his favorite dish. His favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers and his favorite athlete is his sister, Jenny Giguere.

Photo by Juan Carlo, Ventura County Star

Jose Almaguer

FILLMORE, JUNIOR

Almaguer placed 18th at the CIF-SS Division 4 Championships with a time of 16:09, then finished 65th at the state meet in 16:53. His best time at the 3-mile distance is 15:31 and his best time at 5K is 16:44. Almaguer, a 5-foot-6, 126-pound junior, likes to work on fixing cars with his dad and reading. Drake is his favorite singer and his favorite dishes are Italian food and sushi. "Tosh.0" is his top TV show and "(500) Days of Summer" his top movie.

Photo by Rob Varela, Ventura County Star

Gustavo Sanchez

NORDHOFF, SENIOR

Cal State Chico is the next stop for Sanchez, who placed second in the Ventura County Championships with a time of 15:35. He placed seventh in the CIF-SS Division 4 final in 15:37 and was 19th at the state meet in 16:08. His top 5K time was 16:03 at the Clovis Invitational. Sanchez has appeared on the honor roll the past two years. He enjoys hiking and backpacking, watching the Lakers and eating steak. His favorite athlete is Kobe Bryant and his favorite band is Showtek.

Photo by Rob Varela, Ventura County Star

Anthony Allen

ST. BONAVENTURE, SENIOR

Allen will be headed to the U.S. Naval Academy once his senior year is over at St. Bonaventure and is active in Navy Sea Cadets at Naval Base Ventura County. He was third at the Ventura County Championships in 15:35, his personal best for 3 miles. Allen took ninth in the CIF-SS Division 4 final in 15:53 and was 23rd at the state meet in 16:18. His 4.0 GPA earned him a scholar athlete award and a spot in the National Honor Society. He enjoys reading, watching the History Channel and playing "Modern Warfare 3." Italian food is his favorite, along with the movie "Talladega Nights" and the band AC/DC. His favorite athlete is Steve Prefontaine and the Philadelphia Eagles are his favorite team.

Photo by Rob Varela, Ventura County Star

Kyle Medina

VENTURA, JUNIOR

Medina, a 5-10, 142-pound junior, took fifth place at the Ventura County Championships with a time of 15:48. He placed 23rd in the CIF-SS Division 1 Championships at Mount SAC in 15:25. He took second in the Channel League Championships in 15:12 at El Camino Park. Medina includes reading and skateboarding among his hobbies. "Never Back Down" is his top movie and "Modern Family" his top TV series. He lists 800-meter runner Daniel Simmons as his favorite athlete, and says his favorite food is "anything that fuels the fire."