By Colin Eacobellis
The 2019-20 cross country season opened up a new chapter in the record books for both Cal State Fullerton men's and women's cross country teams. Both teams this season showcased incredible determination as each athlete was set on bringing back more than just personal records (PR) to the program.
The women's team on Nov. 2 stepped on the starting line prepared for a race that would change the program's history forever. After enduring the 6K run with UC Davis right on the Titans heels, they saw their accumulation of hard work, sweat, and tears finally pay off. In a dramatic finish, Fullerton made program history by winning the first Big West Championship. Senior Samantha Huerta leading the charge this season walked away with yet another runner-up finish. This not only marks a second straight year for the seasoned runner to receive this accolade, tying for best individual in a conference championship with a time of 20:24.97. Huerta would not be the only Titan to just walk away with just a championship win this season. Trinity Ruelas and Sarah Hollis would stand with their fellow teammate in being awarded All-Big West Accolades for finishing in the top 10 with record times of 20:39.17 and 21:09:4.
Bringing back a championship and multiple accolades to Fullerton, head coach John Elders was named Big West Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. Looking back on the season, Elders went on to mention how he was grateful to work with such a great "support team" from his coaching staff and Fullerton's athletic department. He would then set program history yet again by being the longest tenured coach in school history to receive the first Coach of the Year honor in cross country.
The men's team this season found themselves making Titan history as well. Fullerton had not claimed silver since 1993, but this changed when they finished second place in the Big West Championships. The men's squad faced yet another year of potentially not breaking third until the team during the second half as Coach Elders describes "...kicked it into another gear". In this great victory finish for the program, the Titans also received three all-conference honors. The three athletes to be awarded were Erik Gonzales with a time of 24:39.4, Jacob Smith, at 24:52.0, and Alexis Garcia clocking in at 25:00.4.
Throughout the season, consistency was displayed in both squads leading up to their respective groundbreaking victories. The Titans showcased their outstanding speed and teamwork by both squads finishing first at the UCR Highlander Invite and the Mark Covert Classic. Ruelas also earned Big West Women's XC Athlete of the Week honors for her individual win at the Highlander Invite.
In regional news, the Titans found themselves competing against the cream of the crop at the NCAA West Regionals in Colfax, Wash. The Titans ended up just shy of carrying on their prosperous season victories, but raised some eyes with their standing amongst the other Big West teams. The men's team led by Jorge Sanchez [feature story on Jorge], found themselves taking 12th-place in the 10,000-meter race with a score of 385. The women's team was not far behind in the 6K with Huerta leading them to a team finish of 16th with a score of 481. Although not the outcome they sought, the Titans took third amongst Big West schools on the men's side, while ranking second in Big West teams on the women's end.
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