CHINO, Calif. — Mario Martinez and Samuel Johnny finished back-to-back in the top 40 to lead the University of La Verne men's cross country team at the SCIAC Championship meet on Saturday at Pradio Regional Park.

Martinez finished 35th with a time of 27 minutes, 36.77 seconds and Johnny followed right behind in 36th place at 27:42.60.

Tanner Long, who was a strong contender for All-SCIAC honors, was forced to drop out in the middle of the race with an injury.

Damon Gomez finished in 80th place with a time of 29.20.71, Chris Arcos was 87th (29:36.50) and Andrew Coupe finished 93rd (29:47.47), rounding out La Verne's lineup.

Chance Griffin crossed the finish line in 29:59.65 to finish 96th. Marcelo Arcos (30:21.85, 102nd), Michael Castillo (30:43.38), Nathan Sanchez (33:41.90, 129th) and Daniel Romero (34:46.53, 132nd) filled out La Verne's lineup.

The Leopards will return to action at the NCAA West Regional, hosted by Willamette, on Nov. 12 at Salem, Oregon.