The University of La Verne men’s cross country team placed 12th overall at the NCAA Regional Championships Saturday at Prado Park in Chino with 328 points and a team average time of 29:06.32.
Willamette University from Salem, Oregon took first place overall for both the men’s and women’s races with 59 and 43 points, respectively.
Twenty eight to 30 teams showed up for participation in the regionals this year.
Leading the men for ULV was senior Kelly Wood taking 47th place in 28:05.46.
Following Wood were Matthew Cordova with 63rd place in 28:51.60, Efrain Partida (70th in 29:21.50) and Michael Cordova (75th in 29:32.60).
Other finishers for La Verne included Vincent Sainz (77th in 29:40.70), Donald Hogan (82nd in 30:09.50), and Russell Burrows (86th in 30:53.10).
Junior Alexis Candelaria was the only female entrant for ULV and finished 18th in 23:43.80 in the 6k run.
“Even though the teams from the north dominated the south, Alexis Candelaria was the best runner from the south,” head coach Pat Widolff said.
Just last month she placed second in 23:44.90 at the SCIAC Multi-Dual on Oct. 15, a record time for the University.
“Not surprising at all, Candelaria has been having a good year,” said assistant coach Josh Nordell.
Candelaria’s 23:43.80 time has excelled her previous run, creating a new record time.
“Alexis has been the first female to beat all in the SCIAC competitions,” Widolff said.
First place in the women’s West Regional race went to Sara Smith of Pacific University with a time of 22:26.80.
“Cross-country had a successful year and we are now starting early in practicing for track and field for the spring,” Widolff said.
The University of La Verne had previously completed the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships on Oct. 30.
The men finished in fourth with 102 points while the women finished in eighth with 177 points.
April Rojo can be reached at apelila16@yahoo.com.