California Baptist University
NCAA West Regionals
Ernesto Ruiz Finalizes 2026 Track Season with Program Record and PB in the Steeplechase
5/29/2026 5:32:00 PM | Cross Country & Track
FAYETTEVILLE, AR--- It was a bittersweet end to the West Regionals for the California Baptist University cross-country team as Ernesto Ruiz would set the program record in the steeplechase, but would fall one spot short of becoming a National Qualifier.
Despite being ranked 33rd in the region, Ruiz would record the 10th-fastest time and place 13th overall. Ruiz would kick off the event in the opening heat of the three-heat competition in what would prove to be the strongest of the three heats. Ruiz would put himself in a great spot throughout the race, consistently running in the top group. The top two runners would break away over the final lap, leaving one more automatic qualifier up for grabs. North Dakota's Louis-Lys Fanucchi would kick hard to grab the final guaranteed spot, as Minnesota's Emmitt Gerres and Ruiz would finish neck and neck for the 4th and 5th, respectively. The fifth-place finish would give Ruiz a chance to qualify for the next three best times in the race, earning at-large qualifiers.
The second heat would be slightly faster than the opening heat, as they would snag two of the three time qualifiers, effectively eliminating Ruiz. The third heat would be the slowest, leaving Ruiz one spot out of national qualifying contention. Despite the close call, Ruiz would set the Lancer program record in the steeplechase by over three seconds at 8:36.13, shattering the time that had stood since 2022. The time would also be a personal best for Ruiz, besting his previous best time by nearly eight seconds that he set at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
The race would be the final of Ruiz's decorated career and would be one of the highlights of his time at CBU. Ruiz leaves the Lancers with five of the top ten times in the steeplechase and is one of two male Lancers in program history to earn multiple bids to the West Regionals. Ruiz won the WAC Steeplechase title this season in Arlington and helped the Lancers win two WAC titles in cross-country. The Riverside native is undoubtedly one of the most decorated athletes despite having competed for only two seasons in the blue and gold.
