Clovis & Mt. SAC women bring regional titles; Hartnell, ARC, Riverside men among threats to prevent SD Mesa’s CCCAA 3-peat

November 17, 2022

FRESNO - Last year, the Clovis Community College cross country teams were ‘the new kids on the block.’ In winning this year’s NorCal regional at Fortuna on November 5 for the first time, the CCC women made a down payment on a mortgage for the future by outpointing De Anza by 40 points, 49-89, placing four runners in the top nine! In short, they have arrived as serious contenders for the 45th CCCAA Women’s Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Race director and Clovis CC coach CJ Albertson put it in perspective, “Winning our program’s first regional championship was special for our women as well as placing four in the top nine. However, everything we have done in training has been focused on performing well at the state championships. Our team is very excited to see what we can do on our home course.

“Mt. San Antonio has been ranked number one all year and they performed well enough to win their regional (56-82 over San Diego Mesa on Nov. 4),” he continued. “San Diego Mesa has been close and makes the top three teams at state very strong. Bakersfield, Glendale and El Camino have all performed throughout the year and will be eyeing the podium if any of the top three ranked teams don’t have a great day.”

Meanwhile, the always powerful Hartnell and American River men had a great battle in their Fortuna regional on Nov, 5. The Panthers nipped ARC, 49-52. In the SoCal Regional on Nov. 4 at Bakersfield, San Diego Mesa placed four runners in the top eight. The Olympians won 31-74 over Mt. SAC and made a serious statement about seeking a three-peat at the 58th CCCAA Men’s Championships on Saturday at 11 a.m. Racers will compete on a challenging four-mile course. ARC’s coach, Rick Anderson, has guided the Beavers to five state titles including a three-peat from 2011-13.

“The battle between ARC and Hartnell was great as it has been the past couple years,” Albertson said. “Both teams can win on a good day. However, I know both coaches and teams believe they can perform better at the state championships. San Diego Mesa has looked pretty dominant, but you never know what can happen at State. Mt SAC, Riverside, Hartnell and American River will all contend for a podium spot and it should be very close.”

In essence, will the defending state champs, Mt. SAC women and SD Mesa men, win again? It appears the thought of one or two surprising champions is a distinct possibility.

An early November rainstorm has firmed up the footing at Woodward Park. The rain and recent chilly mornings have created varying hues of gold, red, soft brown and yellow on the leaves around the course. Early morning temperatures are forecasted for the low 40s with race time temps in the low to mid-50s and clear to partly cloudy skies with a slight wind on Saturday.

(Woody Wilk, CCCSIA)