Oxnard College will host its first cross-country meet since 1986 this afternoon as the Western State Conference Preview meet comes to the seaside.

"I'm getting calls from the coaches," said Oxnard coach Gino Sharp. "They say they're excited to see what Oxnard looks like."

The women's race will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the men's race to follow at 4:15 p.m. Both races will begin and end in the school's track stadium.

Glendale, which has dominated the WSC by winning the last two men's titles and last five women's titles, looks like the favorite again.

"Glendale looks ever strong and they've already demonstrated that in several meets," said Sharp.

The Moorpark women, led by Simi Valley High product Nicole Rietveld, has perhaps been the best of the six local programs in the early stages.

The Raiders finished eighth in the Orange Coast Classic last weekend, with Oxnard and Ventura following at 12th and 13th, respectively.

"It's always a tough go whenever these three schools go at it," said Ventura coach Tony Veney.

Oxnard's top runners have been Channel Islands High products Pepe Hernandez and Zulie Jimenez. Cody Kempema (Buena) and Carissa Arce (Oxnard) have set the pace for the Ventura men and women, respectively.