Photo by Shane Rodrigues

CLAREMONT, CA — The University of La Verne women's cross country team closed out the 2021 season strong at the NCAA DIII West Region Cross Country Championships. 

The squad took 18th overall led by Janelle Baeskens's 50th place run with a time of 23:56.8. Andrea Camacho added a time of 26:15.8 and Rebecca Lee ended at 27:13.5.

"Janelle got stuck in a tough spot off the line, and it was really hard to move up on the narrow Pomona Course. She fought hard though and did her best to score well for the team on a hot, hard day. The other four women also ran strong and tough races," said Norton.

"Sydne did a great job closing the door on scoring as she's been working through a calf injury and we weren't even sure if she'd be able to run, excited that she was able to step up for us. We have one of the smallest women's teams in the region but they progressed so well throughout the season to put in a more competitive position than we expected coming into the year."

Alexia Alvarez posted a time of 28:23.0 and Sydne Ruiz added a time of 32:03.3.

Michael Sahagun and TK Berhe led the men's on Saturday with All-Region performances.

The duo earned the pair by finishing in the top-40. Sahagun, fresh off of earning SCIAC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SCIAC honors, took 29th overall with a time of 25:53.3. Berhe finished in 32nd place with a time of 26:07.1.

The Leopards' men's squad finished in ninth place.

"The men ran our fifth best regional performance ever in a new expanded region, it was really exciting to see us show we can be competitive in the top-10 with the youngest team in the region," said head coach Jamie Norton. "Our top runner Michael battled really hard despite being sick but just didn't quite have the gas in the second half of the race to run where he was been throughout the year. TK ran an awesome race to take All-Region honor. Having two guys make all-region was a really great accomplishment."

Efren Martin finished third for the Leopard in 57th place overall with a time of 26:58.3 and Santiago Herrera finished next in 59th at 26:59.5.

"Efren and Santi also came through big time for us, running their best races of the year and keeping us in the mix," said Norton.

Edward Carrillo (27:17.5, Marcelo Martinez (27:22.3), and Jose Reyes (28:16.3) rounded out the race.

"Overall we didn't quite have the days we hoped for, but I'm really proud of the growth and improvements this group has shown through the year, and we have two more years with the majority of this team to build on the strong foundation we have laid," said Norton. There is such a bright future ahead for these teams.

"Our captain Alexia Alvarez was so crucial in helping steer this ship through the challenging last 18 months and have us come out of the other side better than ever. Graduate student senior Janelle Baseskens also helped bring a veteran perspective to the team and show both men's and women's teams what it takes to compete at a high level. We'll be resting up now for the track season and getting ready to rewrite more La Verne record books in the spring."