FRESNO, CA (11/23/2024) -- San Diego Mesa College's cross country teams solidified their dominance this season by clinching both the men's and women's team titles at the 3C2A State Championships. With exceptional performances from key runners and consistent contributions from their deep roster, Mesa asserted itself as a powerhouse in California collegiate cross country.
Men's Team: A Commanding Victory
Continuing their dominant 1st-place finish performance from the 3C2A SoCal Regional, he Mesa men's team showcased their strength with a dominant score of 47 points, decisively outpacing their closest competitors, Mt. SAC, who finished with 98 points. Their top-five scoring runners finished within the top 15 overall, led by standout performances from Ian Rosen and Alex Leroy.
Ian Rosen, a sophomore, set the tone with a stellar fourth-place finish, clocking in at 20:57.1 for the 4-mile course. He was closely supported by teammates Alex Leroy (7th, 21:07.1), Ronald Way (9th, 21:09.5), and Luciano Roberts (14th, 21:18.9). Josh Edwards rounded out Mesa's scoring pack with a 15th-place finish in 21:26.1. The team's remarkable depth was further highlighted by contributions from non-scoring runners who finished within the top 50.
This victory caps a dominant season for the men's team, which consistently outperformed the competition across multiple meets, proving their mettle when it mattered most.
Women's Team: Rising to the Challenge
The Mesa women's team mirrored the success of their male counterparts, taking home the championship with a score of 85 points after finishing second at the 3C2A SoCal Regional. Their cohesive pack running strategy and strong finishes propelled them to the top, ahead of Clovis Community College (125 points).
Freshman Joelle Tonne led the charge for Mesa, finishing 10th overall with a time of 19:19.6 on the 5K course. She was followed by an impressive trio: Ava Cornell (10th, 19:19.6), Kate Touchet (19th, 19:45.6), and Natalie Allen (10th, 19:10.6). Sophomore standout Maddie Fletcher sealed the scoring effort with her 19th-place finish in 19:45.6.
Mesa's women demonstrated resilience and strategy throughout the race, maintaining their reputation as a dominant force all season long.
A Season of Dominance
The 3C2A State Championships were the culmination of a season marked by excellence for both Mesa squads. Known for their discipline and teamwork, the Olympians proved their superiority on the state's biggest stage. This double championship solidifies San Diego Mesa College's place as a leader in California cross country and sets the stage for continued success in the years to come.