In a thrilling display of athleticism and teamwork, the Mt. SAC Men's Cross County Team clinched first place in the 4-mile run at the Oxnard Invite on Friday, September 6. Competing amid a Southern California heat wave with temperatures nearing 110 degrees in Walnut, the team was relieved to race in Oxnard with cooler conditions. Their performance highlighted their exceptional talent and deep commitment to the sport.
The Mounties dominated the event with a total time of 1:45:29, averaging an impressive 21:05 per runner. This remarkable team effort secured them first place overall with a team score of 21. Moorpark College finished second with a total time of 1:49:31 and a team score of 68, while Glendale College took third with a team time of 1:51:20 and a score of 86.
The team's strategic depth was evident as they placed seven runners in the top 15, showcasing their collective strength and cohesion. "The men's team had a standout performance highlighted by six men in the top ten finishers," Coach Bird said. "The most impressive part was watching how the men worked together during the race and supported each other, never leaving a man behind."
Emmanuel Hernandez led the charge, finishing first overall with a time of 20:50.4 and averaging a time of 5:12.6 per mile. He was closely followed by teammate Max Loera, who secured a second-place finish with a time of 20:53.1 with an average mile time of 5:13.3. Mt. SAC's dominance was further exemplified by the strong finishes of Austin Ledgerwood, Jude Enriquez and Diego Varela who finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
Other notable performances from Mt. SAC included Joel Fischer, who finished ninth, with a time of 21:24.4 and Juan Santiago-Chavez, who came in 11th, with a time of 21:28.0, rounding out the top seven.
After a modest start with a seventh-place finish in their season opener, the team made a strong comeback in their second competition. With the their cohesive performance and individual talent, they are determined to secure a third consecutive state championship title.
Their next competition is on Friday, September 13, hosted by Chaffey College. Coach Bird says, "I look forward to watching this team compete at the Southern California Preview Meet, where we get to see some of the best teams in the state of California."
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.