(Walnut, CA) 2017 was an historic year for the Mt. SAC Men's Cross Country team.

They won their second CCCAA State Championship in program history and look to add a third title this season.

The 2017 individual state champion, Manuel Fernandez, has graduated from Mt. SAC, but the Mounties return seven top runners from last season.

"After an historical cross country and track and field season in 2017-18, where the Mounties won all four state titles (men and women cross country and men and women track and field), we return with  great enthusiasm and a fresh set of goals aimed at achieving great success," Mt. SAC Men's Cross Country coach Ron Kamaka said.

Sophomore Salvador Capetillo, who did not run cross country last season, but won both the state 5,000 and 10,000 meter titles, will run for the cross country team this season.

Other key runners are Colby Penn, Luis Huerta, Christopher Weiland and Jose Melchor. Freshmen Julian Serano, Vincent Orta, Adrian Hernandez Jr and Freddy Montes will contend to be amongst the teams top seven. All total the team has 31 runners on its roster.

"In all, the staff and I look forward to developing the teams towards improving as student athletes, enhancing their current abilities with hard work, quality teaching, and consistent execution that produces championship performance, " Kamaka said.

On the schedule are seven invitationals, including the 71st Annual Brooks Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational on October 12, 19-20. The invitational is the world's largest cross country event with three divisions – Community College, High School and Elementary/Middle Schools.

Follow Mt. SAC Cross Country on twitter @MtSAC_XC or on instagram @Mountiexc

Follow Mt. SAC Athletics on twitter @MtSAC_athletics or Facebook @Mountie.Athletics

For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.