MXC qualifies for state
The men's cross country team qualified for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Finals on Friday with a 10th place finish at the Southern California Regional Finals in Bakersfield. The Bobcats had five finish in the top-60 at the event.
Saddleback was one of 14 teams to qualify from the southern half of the state. The Bobcats had five finishers in the top third of a field in a race with 190 harriers.
Santiago Sanchez led the way for Saddleback, finishing 36th overall. Sanchez crossed the finish line of the 4-mile trek in 20:46.83, which was just 13 seconds from a top-25 finish. Sanchez was followed closely by Brandon Pizano-Pintor, who finished in 41st place (20:51.37). Saddleback had three others in the top-60 in Jullian Dorantes-Lara (53rd), Jaeden Cornejo (54th) and Justin Boos (57th).
Saddleback's team score of 241 was just point behind Orange Coast and six points behind Ventura.
Saddleback will take on the best in the state at the CCCAA State Championships in Fresno on Saturday, September 19.