Pacific Union College Men’s Cross Country Ushers in New Era Under Coach Pablo Garrido
The Pacific Union College Men's Cross Country program is gearing up for a transformative 2025 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Pablo Garrido, who is on a mission to revitalize the team's culture, elevate its performance, and build a foundation for long term success.
Coach Garrido, who stepped into the head coaching role last year, enters this season with a renewed sense of purpose and a clear vision: to cultivate a competitive culture where hard work meets fun, and expectations are met with accountability. With a strong recruiting class and the return of key veterans, the program is poised for its most competitive season in recent memory.
"We're setting a new standard this year," said Garrido. "It's about more than just results, it's about building something sustainable. I want our athletes to enjoy the grind and represent PUC with pride."
The team also welcomes Assistant Coach Josue Hilario, whose stellar collegiate running career at PUC adds instant credibility to the coaching staff. Hilario turned heads at the 2024 CalPac Championships, earning All-CalPac Second Team honors and qualifying for Nationals. His experience and energy will be instrumental in developing the team's rising talent.
Among the incoming athletes is senior chemistry major Andrew Baluyot, who brings both academic drive and competitive hunger to the squad. "I committed to PUC because of the generous scholarships I received," said Baluyot, a native of Oakdale, CA and graduate of Central Valley Christian Academy. "I'm most looking forward to progressing with my teammates and competing in races!"
Freshman Nicholas Guidry, from Bakersfield, CA, is another new face ready to make an impact. A graduate of Bakersfield Adventist Academy, Guidry is majoring in social work and running with purpose. "I committed to PUC so I can better my education and be the first in my family to go to college," he shared. "What I'm looking forward to this season is being on a team with people who share the same passion for running as me."
The 2025 Men's Cross Country Roster combines returning leadership with exciting new additions:
Returners:
James Park Raijan Villacruel Marc Tarango
Newcomers:
Jared Diaz
Andrew Baluyot
Jose Gutierrez Nicholas Guidry Henry Baek Christopher Alvarado Joaquin Verduzco
Coach Garrido and Coach Hilario are committed to building not just stronger athletes, but better teammates, leaders, and students. With a full and competitive roster, the Pioneers are poised to grow as a team and challenge the rest of the CalPac. The combination of leadership, new energy, and a focused coaching staff signals an exciting step forward for the program.
"This is just the beginning," Garrido said. "We're laying the groundwork for something special at PUC."
Story by: Daniel Morales