Gauchos run 6th at GWC Invite
The Saddleback men's cross country team finished in sixth place at the Golden West Invitational on Friday at Central Park in Huntington Beach. The Gauchos were led by sophomore Scott Hickman and freshman Julian Lasting, who both finished in the top-15.
Saddleback was facing arguably the toughest field of the year on Friday, with three of the top-ranked teams in the region on hand for the competition. The Gauchos faired quite well despite only suiting up five harriers, finishing sixth overall and third amongst Orange Empire Conference programs.
Hickman and Lasting remained in a pack off the lead pace set by a bevy of runners from El Camino College, who ran away with the team competition. The two Gauchos then made a move in the final mile, finishing fifth and six amongst the runners from the Orange Empire Conference. Hickman crossed the finish line in 14th place overall with a time of 21:58.2 while Lasting was right on his heels in 15th place (21:58.7).
Saddleback had another top-25 finisher as freshman Sebastian Arias finished in 22nd place overall with a time of 22:17.3. Sophomore Connor Yartz finished 76th overall and 55th in the team competition (23:43.3) while freshman Rory Keane was 97th overall and 62nd in the team competition (24:33.8) in a race that featured 155 harriers.
Saddleback will run again at the Brubaker Invitational on October 5 at Irvine Regional Park. Race time is scheduled for 9:00 AM in Irvine.