The men’s and women’s cross-country season came to a close Nov. 22 at the CCCAA State Championships. The season had a lot of bright spots with the men finishing ranked fifth and the women seventh.

“I was really impressed with the way both teams finished,” head coach David Wellman said. “This was supposed to be a rebuilding year with a large number of newcomers, but we preformed well and look good to improve on our placing next year.”

Both teams started their seasons by taking first and third place at the Beat the Heat Invitational Aug. 30 in Eureka. Cristian Nazarek took first with a time of 21:24 for the men and Sarah Brandt with a time of 19:58 for the women.

The men placed 10th in the Fresno Invitational Sept. 6. Nazarek placed fourth with a time of 20:51.7 in the four-mile. The women placed 12th with Erica Ruiz hustling in with a time of 20:04.6.

In the Big 8 Preview Sept. 13 the men placed second, while the women placed fifth. Nazarek led the way with a time of 20:46.9 in second place. Ruiz came in fourth with a time of 19:45.6

“Overall, I had a great season, and I wouldn’t change it for a thing, Ruiz said. “I’m looking forward to track season.”

Nine days later the Bear Cubs traveled to San Mateo to compete in the Crystal Springs Invitational. The men placed eighth with Nazarek taking fifth with a time of 21:46. The women did not place.

In the Toro Park Invitational Oct. 10 the men placed fourth and the women took fifth. Nazarek placed second with a time of 20:53.6. Logan Stanley placed ninth with a time of 21:44.8 for the men. Jon Ahnberg placed nineteenth with a time of 22:13.4. Luz Sanche-Huerta placed 12th with a time of 20:10.5. Ruiz placed eighth with a time of 19:46.9

In the Pat Ryan Invitational Oct. 17 the men took first while the women earned second. The men had three placers in the top ten. Nazarek took first with a time of 20:00.23. Stanley placed fourth with a time of 20:50.30 while Ahnberg placed seventh with a time of 21:15.36. For the women, Ruiz placed first with a time of 18:45.33, Sanchez-Huerta placed fourth with a time of 19:20.92 and Trixie Scolari placed twelfth with a time of 20:56.14.

On Halloween the Bear Cubs traveled to Sacramento for the Big 8 Championships where the men placed second and the women placed fourth.

On Nov. 8 the Bear Cubs competed in the NorCal Championships where the men placed fifth and the women placed eighth. Nazarek placed ninth with a time of 21:49.1. Ruiz placed eighth with a time of 19:03.4.

The Bear Cubs competed in the CCCAA State Championships Nov. 22 where the men placed 19th and the women placed 25th.

“The day of state, I was terrified,” Ruiz said. “I have never gone to state for anything, so it felt so surreal. “Wellman took my hands, looked me in the eyes and told me that I got this.”

The Bear Cubs overall had a great season and look to improve into next year.