Pioneers Prevail at California Pacific Championships
Pacific Union College Pioneers Complete Their Season at California Pacific Conference Championship.
The Pacific Union College Pioneers Cross Country team finished their regular season meets at the California Pacific Conference Championship meet on Friday November 1st at Woodward Park in Fresno. With two races under thier belts, the Pioneers Cross Country Teams raced against their collective CalPac conference opponents, many for the first time. The Cal Pac Championship Race determines the qualifying teams and individuals for postseason competition at Nationals.
For the last seven years, Woodward Park, Fresno, has proved to be an ideal venue to host the Championship race. The conditions were perfect for running with a cool temperatures and clear skies. The races started at 9:30 AM (Men) and 10:30 AM (Women).
The Pioneers Women's Cross-Country Team was filled with newcomers, who competed like seasoned veterans with the relentlessness and positive attitudes. Marcidale Amurao was the first of the Pioneers to pass the finish line with a time of 24:01. Followed closely behind was the only Returner, Ana Orozco-Redmon (JR/Obregon, Sonora Mexico) (24:12) and Newcomer, Isabella Malan (JR/Sutter, CA) (24:35). Ana shaved almost a minute off of her time from last year! Anzarath Chavez-Duron and Shekinah Francis (SR/Long Island, NY) finished middle of the pack with times of 26:20 and 28:11, respectfully. The final Pioneer to finish was Alyssa Hidalgo (SR/San Diego, CA) with a time of 37:28. The Pioneers were awarded 10th place overall.
Embry-Riddle (AZ) was awarded the Women's Team Title for the California Pacific Conference Meet. Arianna Anderson (Embry-Riddle) was awarded the overall crown with a lightening time 18:35.
On the men's side, rivalries can be witnessed between some of the top programs across the conference. Embry-Riddle (AZ), UC-Merced and University of Antelope Valley were hungry to compete for the team crown. Individual Runners also looked to satisfy their appetite for Conference Glory, including runners from the top programs. Pioneer Freshman Justin Roosma (FR/Walla Walla, WA) with a hefty appetite was new to the table, but ready to dig into the feast.
Justin shadowed the experienced runners at each mile point as they floated through the hilly course, averaging a 5:01 mile pace. At the last mile, the front pack had dwindled to the top runners from Embry-Riddle, UAV and PUC's Roosma. At the 800 meter mark, with the finishing banner still out of view, Justin opened it up and from the back and surged past the top ER runner to cross the finish line first with a time of 24:56. Highlighting Justin's win was setting a course record, and for being the first Freshman to win a California Pacific Conference Championship Race.
Justin was backed up by his Pioneer team mates, who also revealed their competitive drive. Senior Team Captain, Kyle Bullington (SR/Fresno, CA) exceeded his personal record with a time of 31:52. Teammates Cyrus Jones (JR/Sacramento, CA) and returning athlete Anthony Olivarria (JR/Lodi, CA) paced one another throughout the course to finish with times of 33:44 and 34:56 respectively. Abraham Garrido (JR/Fresno, CA) finished with a time of 36:31 to conclude the Men's Cross-Country Team in the race. The Pioneers placed 9th overall.
Embry-Riddle was awarded the Team Title on the Men's side as well.
Stay tuned for post-season coverage as Justin Roosma has qualified for the NAIA National Race, traveling to his home state of Washington to compete. NAIA Nationals will be held in Vancouver, Washington on November 22nd.