The 2022 Inland Empire and Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships, hosted by Norco College, in Norco, California, took place Friday, October 28.

Twelve colleges competed in the inaugural championship meet: San Bernardino Valley, Crafton Hills, Chaffey, Mira Costa, San Diego City, Southwestern, College of the Desert, San Diego Mesa, Imperial Valley, Cuyamaca, Cerro Cosa, and Norco College.

Both races started and ended at the newly renovated Norco College Sports Complex, with courses designed to give both male and female runners an athletic challenge that tested their strength, speed, and endurance.

While both races were predominately on the backside of campus, one stretch brought runners down Palm Pathway (a high-traffic campus area, that was great for spectating the event). Faculty, classified employees, and students happily cheered for their Norco College runners.

The women's 5k race began at 9:30 am, and the men's 4-mile race began at 10:30 am. An awards ceremony followed to place runners and to determine if they would qualify for the Regional Championships on November 4.

Valerie Cortez placed 4 in the Inland Empire Conference and 15 overall. She will be heading to Regionals. The Men’s team placed 6 overall. Individually, Andrew Herrera placed 11 in the Inland Empire Conference and 34 overall. He will be heading to Regionals as well.

Dr. Mark Hartley, Dean of Student Life, shared, “I could not ask for a better outcome. Our runners and coaches gave it their all and showed the power of the Mustang. I am proud of our student-athletes who are headed to Regionals, and of every student-athlete who competed. It was a pleasure to host the inaugural cross country joint championship and welcome other colleges to our newly developed course.”

To see more Inland Empire and Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships results, visit: finishedresults.trackscoreboard.com