California Baptist University
WAC Conference Tournament
CBU Sweeps its Final WAC XC Championships in Dominating Fashion
10/31/2025 12:38:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
ARLINGTON, TX--- The California Baptist University cross-country team concluded its final Western Athletic Conference Championships on a high note as it swept the competition with team titles for both the men's and women's teams.
The weather conditions were ideal for Sean Smith's teams, with sunny skies and a cool breeze sweeping across Harold Patterson Sports Complex. CBU would dominate the competition from start to finish in both races, securing 17 All-WAC finishers across both genders and the individual champion in the men's race, as Valentin Soca brought home the first such award of his career.
Championship Friday kicked off with the men seeking the coveted six-peat in the Men's 8K. The Lancers have been the reigning champions since 2020, and they did not relinquish the title in this race as they secured the trophy in dominant fashion. Soca was the individual champion as his final kick would breeze him past Sila Kiplakat of Utah Valley to earn his first individual title in cross-country with a time of 23:51.0. CBU would wind up with seven of the top ten finishers, including a sea of gold between fifth place and ninth place.
Gabriel Guzman would also represent the Lancers on the podium, finishing in third place with a time of 23:55.30. The time for Guzman would be a personal best by two seconds and would be his second all-conference finish of his career. CBU's depth was on full display as they would go 5-9 on the line with Finn Anspach (5th), Jude DeVries (6th), Brett Rushman (7th), Victor Rosas (8th), and Ernesto Ruiz (9th). Eric Perez would also earn all-conference honors in 16th place, 24:29.80, and would be CBU's only second-team finisher on the men's side.
"The depth and strength on the team in on a different level this year. The men looked solid and the hardest thing coming off this weekend is figuring out who will to the line at Regionals," said Coach Smith after the men's performance.
The women would complete the sweep in the final race of the morning as they would equally dominate the 6K with a team title. The Lancers would score 29 points, doubling the score of Utah Valley, which was the next lowest-scoring team. For CBU, it was the team's first WAC Title since 2022 after finishing in second place the past two seasons. Sarah Schiffman would lead the pack for the Lancers, finishing on the podium in her first season with CBU in third place with a time of 20:16.50. The Ole Miss transfer has been solid all season for Coach Smith and would pay off her hard work with a medal.
CBU would also showcase its significant depth, with runners finishing 5-11 across the line, and would secure another in the top 20, ensuring that all its runners earn all-conference honors. Emilia Mikszuta, in her return to CBU, would finish fifth with a time of 20:26.30. Mikszuta has the distinction of being a four-time WAC Champion after winning titles with the Lancers in 2020-2022. Behind Mikszuta were Mahaut Cooren (6th), Helena Mees (7th), Ava Dyck (8th), Karolina Bliujute (9th), Ceyda Pinar (10th), and Isalys Huet (11th). Ana Mees would also earn an all-conference distinction by finishing 20th to wrap up the race for the Lancers.
"It means a lot to see these kids finish out the final chapter of the WAC Championships on a high note. We are excited to keep this momentum going into the regional championships," remarked Coach Smith
The Lancers will celebrate the titles for a bit before focusing its attention on the NCAA West Regionals on November 14 in Sacramento, CA.
Players Mentioned
