Saturday, October 3
San Marcos, CA
California Baptist University
vs
Cougar Challenge
Photo by: Will Carter
Lancers Sweep Cougar Challenge in Dominant Fashion
10/3/2026 11:58:00 AM | Cross Country & Track
SAN MARCOS, Calif. – CBU cross country dominated on Saturday morning at the Cougar Challenge, sweeping the men's and women's races.
The Lancer men won the 8K with 18 points, finishing more than 40 points ahead of second-place Cal State San Marcos. CBU placed five runners in the top 10, earning its second team victory of the season.
Juniors Itumeleng Ngxabazi and Pedro Marin led the Lancers, finishing second and third, respectively, with matching times of 24:14.8. Sophomore Yemane Mulugeta followed in fourth at 24:16.0, while junior Gabriel Guzman placed sixth in 24:33.5. Sophomore Nicolai Martino rounded out CBU's top five in 10th at 24:54.9.
CBU-affiliated runners Ernesto Ruiz and Victor Rosas also competed unattached. Ruiz won the individual race and set a new course record with a time of 24:14.7, while Rosas finished fifth in 24:20.6.
The Lancer women earned their first team victory of the season, scoring 19 points and finishing more than 30 points ahead of second-place Grand Canyon. CBU had seven runners finish in the top 10.
Juniors Helena Mees, Keely Bradle and Karolina Bliujute led the Lancers, placing second, third and fourth, respectively. Mees finished in 20:42.8, followed by Bradle in 21:05.0 and Bliujute in 21:07.0.
CBU continued to dominate the top 10, with junior Eleonara Visnevskyte placing seventh in 21:30.7 and freshman Arielle Avina finishing eighth in 21:43.4. Sophomores Kaitlyn Reyes and Ana Mees rounded out the group, finishing ninth and 10th in 21:44.9 and 21:49.1, respectively.
Unattached CBU-affiliated freshman Fatima Mena Ximello won the individual women's race with a time of 20:31.0.
"We accomplished most of what we wanted today," said head coach Sean Smith. "The biggest goal was pack running the first three miles and being controlled. The second goal was closing hard and racing well in the last one to two miles for both the men and women. With it being a scorcher, I think the pack running worked even better. It was fun watching the group work up the field as a pack. The 5 a.m. departure was well worth it!"
The Lancers controlled both races, with every CBU runner finishing in the top half of the individual standings. It marked the first time CBU's men's and women's teams have won the same meet since the 2025 Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota.
Ngxabazi, Bradle, Avina and Reyes all recorded personal-best times despite the heat.
Full results for the meet can be found HERE.
The Lancers will have nearly two weeks off before splitting the squad again for the Arturo Barrios Invitational in Texas on Oct. 16 and the Highlander Invitational in Riverside on Oct. 17.
The Lancer men won the 8K with 18 points, finishing more than 40 points ahead of second-place Cal State San Marcos. CBU placed five runners in the top 10, earning its second team victory of the season.
THE LANCER MEN WIN!!
— CBU XC & Track (@CBUXCTF) October 3, 2026
Pure dominance in San Marcos! 😤#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/lKw9A14VcB
Juniors Itumeleng Ngxabazi and Pedro Marin led the Lancers, finishing second and third, respectively, with matching times of 24:14.8. Sophomore Yemane Mulugeta followed in fourth at 24:16.0, while junior Gabriel Guzman placed sixth in 24:33.5. Sophomore Nicolai Martino rounded out CBU's top five in 10th at 24:54.9.
CBU-affiliated runners Ernesto Ruiz and Victor Rosas also competed unattached. Ruiz won the individual race and set a new course record with a time of 24:14.7, while Rosas finished fifth in 24:20.6.
The Lancer women earned their first team victory of the season, scoring 19 points and finishing more than 30 points ahead of second-place Grand Canyon. CBU had seven runners finish in the top 10.
THE LANCER WOMEN ARE COUGAR CHALLENGE CHAMPS!
— CBU XC & Track (@CBUXCTF) October 3, 2026
What a showing by the ladies! 😄#LanceUp⚔️ pic.twitter.com/5QeXMXdttZ
Juniors Helena Mees, Keely Bradle and Karolina Bliujute led the Lancers, placing second, third and fourth, respectively. Mees finished in 20:42.8, followed by Bradle in 21:05.0 and Bliujute in 21:07.0.
CBU continued to dominate the top 10, with junior Eleonara Visnevskyte placing seventh in 21:30.7 and freshman Arielle Avina finishing eighth in 21:43.4. Sophomores Kaitlyn Reyes and Ana Mees rounded out the group, finishing ninth and 10th in 21:44.9 and 21:49.1, respectively.
Unattached CBU-affiliated freshman Fatima Mena Ximello won the individual women's race with a time of 20:31.0.
"We accomplished most of what we wanted today," said head coach Sean Smith. "The biggest goal was pack running the first three miles and being controlled. The second goal was closing hard and racing well in the last one to two miles for both the men and women. With it being a scorcher, I think the pack running worked even better. It was fun watching the group work up the field as a pack. The 5 a.m. departure was well worth it!"
The Lancers controlled both races, with every CBU runner finishing in the top half of the individual standings. It marked the first time CBU's men's and women's teams have won the same meet since the 2025 Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota.
Ngxabazi, Bradle, Avina and Reyes all recorded personal-best times despite the heat.
Full results for the meet can be found HERE.
The Lancers will have nearly two weeks off before splitting the squad again for the Arturo Barrios Invitational in Texas on Oct. 16 and the Highlander Invitational in Riverside on Oct. 17.
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