While the Ventura College men's swimming team is in a dominant position entering this weekend's Western State Conference championships in Bakersfield, the Ventura women have a race on their hands.

Santa Monica enters the women's meet a perfect 6-0 in dual meets, having defeated Ventura 61-50 on March 27, just the Pirates' second loss in 78 dual meets since 1998.

"It should be a close meet based upon the seeding," said Ventura coach Larry Baratte. "It should be real exciting."

Ventura (6-1) is led by returning All-Americans Brooke Penney, Jacqueline O'Hagan and Bonny Bordwell.

Returning All-Americans Chris Baier, Tyler McClure and Eric Anderssen have the Ventura men on the cusp of the program's seventh straight WSC title.

Freshmen Daniel Colvin, Rafael Ingannamonte, Michael Craft, Michael Crowley, Juan Cameron and Wade Federer will also be vying to qualify for next week's state championships in Long Beach.

"There are two goals," said Barrate. "To come away with a conference championship and as qualify as many swimmer as we can for the state meet.

"We want as many bullets in the gun as we can get."