Saturday, October 31
Riverside, CA
California Baptist University
vs
Big West Conference Championship
Photo by: Will Carter
10/30/2026 3:30:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
RIVERSIDE – CBU cross country is set for its first-ever Big West Championships this Saturday as the Lancers look to compete for their first conference titles.
Both the men's and women's teams will aim for their first Big West conference titles against a competitive field that includes Utah Valley, which has been nationally ranked this season, and Cal Poly.
The men will be looking for their 12th conference title in program history (seventh at the Division I level) and their seventh consecutive conference championship. The women will be seeking their 17th conference title in program history (sixth at the Division I level) and their second consecutive conference championship.
The championship will be held at the UC Riverside Agriculture Operations Park in Riverside. This will mark the third time the Lancers have competed on the course this season. The course is typically fast and provides good traction along its dirt paths. However, with rain leading up to Saturday, conditions could be muddy and slippery on race morning.
The championship will also mark the first time the Lancers have competed with their entire team together on this course. During their previous two visits, CBU split its squads between two separate races over the weekend.
Meet Info
Meet: Big West Cross Country Championships
Date: Saturday, October 31st
Time: Men's 8k – 8:30 AM PT; Women's 6k – 9:15 AM PT
Location: UC Riverside Agricultre Operations Course | Riverside, CA
Live Stats: HERE
Team Analysis
The Lancer men enter the championships with high expectations, as the team will have all of its top runners available. Junior Pedro Marin has led the men throughout the season, placing in the top 10 at both of CBU's nationally competitive meets in Indiana. Junior Itumeleng Ngxabazi and sophomore Yemane Mulugeta have also made an impact after transferring into the program this year. Juniors Gabriel Guzman, who placed third at last year's Western Athletic Conference Championships, and Manuel Rojas will look to round out the top five as the Lancers pursue the conference title.
On the women's side, the Lancers receive a much-needed boost as freshman Fatima Mena is now eligible to compete in a CBU uniform after the NCAA cleared her to compete for the Lancers rather than unattached. She will look to lead the team alongside junior Helena Mees, who will aim to improve upon her seventh-place finish at last year's WAC Championships and contend for the individual title. Juniors Karolina Bliujute, Ana Mees and Keely Bradle will look to round out the top five.
The Lancers have been working toward this moment all season, and Saturday will provide their opportunity to compete for Big West titles on both the men's and women's sides.
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Both the men's and women's teams will aim for their first Big West conference titles against a competitive field that includes Utah Valley, which has been nationally ranked this season, and Cal Poly.
The men will be looking for their 12th conference title in program history (seventh at the Division I level) and their seventh consecutive conference championship. The women will be seeking their 17th conference title in program history (sixth at the Division I level) and their second consecutive conference championship.
The championship will be held at the UC Riverside Agriculture Operations Park in Riverside. This will mark the third time the Lancers have competed on the course this season. The course is typically fast and provides good traction along its dirt paths. However, with rain leading up to Saturday, conditions could be muddy and slippery on race morning.
The championship will also mark the first time the Lancers have competed with their entire team together on this course. During their previous two visits, CBU split its squads between two separate races over the weekend.
Meet Info
Meet: Big West Cross Country Championships
Date: Saturday, October 31st
Time: Men's 8k – 8:30 AM PT; Women's 6k – 9:15 AM PT
Location: UC Riverside Agricultre Operations Course | Riverside, CA
Live Stats: HERE
Team Analysis
The Lancer men enter the championships with high expectations, as the team will have all of its top runners available. Junior Pedro Marin has led the men throughout the season, placing in the top 10 at both of CBU's nationally competitive meets in Indiana. Junior Itumeleng Ngxabazi and sophomore Yemane Mulugeta have also made an impact after transferring into the program this year. Juniors Gabriel Guzman, who placed third at last year's Western Athletic Conference Championships, and Manuel Rojas will look to round out the top five as the Lancers pursue the conference title.
On the women's side, the Lancers receive a much-needed boost as freshman Fatima Mena is now eligible to compete in a CBU uniform after the NCAA cleared her to compete for the Lancers rather than unattached. She will look to lead the team alongside junior Helena Mees, who will aim to improve upon her seventh-place finish at last year's WAC Championships and contend for the individual title. Juniors Karolina Bliujute, Ana Mees and Keely Bradle will look to round out the top five.
The Lancers have been working toward this moment all season, and Saturday will provide their opportunity to compete for Big West titles on both the men's and women's sides.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Cross Country & Track
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/ Cross Country & Track
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