By John M. Sherrard

(Salem, OR) The hottest men's cross country team in California, came home with its' fourth consecutive invitational championship at the 43rd Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational, which was held at Bush's Pasture Park in Salem, Oregon.

The Mounties scored 54 points to take the win, 15 points of ahead of the University of Victoria, who scored 69 points to take second.

Individually, sophomore Manuel Fernandez captured first place in the NAIA/Community College Division 8K (4.87 miles) race. 

Fernandez was five seconds ahead of the nearest competitor with a time of 24:33.9, which was the fastest time among the two race divisions (345 runners, 38 college/universities).  

The Mounties ran with an incredibly strong tight pack, placing seven runners within the top 30 and with a 7-person gap (finish time between 1st and 7th runner) of only 59 seconds.  

Trelani Waters finished in eighth (4:58.4), Luis Huerta  finshed in 12th (25:02.3), Jose Melchor finished in 14th (25:06.9), Anthony Alfaro finished in 23rd place (25:26.1), Ralph Mendoza finished in 25th place (25:28.3) and Hector Peralta finished in 29th place (25:32.3).

The team will travel next to San Luis Obispo for the Tour de Cuesta, on Saturday October 7.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.