Top-ranked cross country teams don't disappoint at Mt. SAC Invitational; Hartnell wins men's race, Mt. SAC takes women's

Hartnell captured the men's title while host Mt. SAC finished second at last Friday's Mt. SAC Invitational. The teams reversed spots on the women's side.

October 21, 2021

Hartnell Men Place Make History at Mt. SAC Invitational

WALNUT - After posting a perfect record against Northern California competition, the Hartnell men challenged themselves with the most difficult cross country course Southern California community college has to offer at the Mt. SAC Invitational. In addition to the famed hills in Walnut, the Panthers would face the recently voted top-ranked team Mt. SAC. Hartnell entered the competition with the third-ranking and after a close victory 29 to 35, Hartnell College should find itself in the never seen position of top-ranked heading into the championship portion of the season.

The Hartnell men won the meet thanks to a top seven grouping of just 35 seconds, their smallest differential of the season. Sophomore Isaac Gensel lead the charge as he sought Hartnell's third ever individual winner. Gensel would charge for the front in the final mile but come up short by just 1.9 seconds timed in 21:24. Elijah Ocegueda of Mt. SAC would hold on for the win in 21:22. The team battle would appear in Mt. SAC's favor with three in the top four but then a wave of Panthers would flood the top eleven all separated by only 15 seconds. Esteban Deniz (21:44) was fifth, Eli Ainworth (21:46) placed sixth, Jose Velazquez (21:49) in seventh enjoyed his best race of the season, Daniel Correa (21:56) was ninth, Frankie Maciel (21:58) tenth, and freshman Mario Avila (21:59) rounded out the seven in eleventh. This was the first time in school history seven runners had ever placed inside the top 14 overall. Freshman Ricky Diaz III went out aggressively the first two miles in top four would hold on for 23rd (22:56).

The Panthers remain undefeated on the season and have only defending state champion San Diego Mesa College as the only top four ranked team they have yet to face and beat. They will not see San Diego Mesa until the CCCAA State Championship on November 20th at Woodward Park in Fresno.

(Hartnell Athletics)

Mounties finish first at Mt. SAC Invite, prepare for SCC Championships next

WALNUT - With 31 points, Mt. SAC placed first as a team at the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invite on Friday. Hartnell (40 points) and College of the Canyons (91) placed second and third, respectively.

Hannah Brown was the top Mountie finisher with a time of 19:08.7, good enough for second place in a field of 70 runners. Top-20 finishers for Mt. SAC included Amanda Crowell (5th place, 19:27.5), Kaitlyn Atkinson (6th, 19:31.3), Kimberly Pena (8th, 19:40.4), Jessica Mojarro-Salinas (12th, 20:13.3), Karla Galvan (13th, 20:20.1), and Allison Gutierrez (16th, 20:32.0).

Danielle Salcedo (College of the Canyons) took first place in dominating fashion, crossing the finish line of the 3-mile race in 18:26.3. Sofia Camacho (19:20.1) and Valeria Lozano-Gomez (19:24.0) were third and fourth, respectively, for Hartnell.

The Mounties will next compete in the South Coast Conference Championships at Compton College on Friday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m.

(Mt. SAC Athletics)