LBCC Cross Country Recap – The Master’s University Invitational

Contributed by Marcus Carroll:

The Long Beach City College men's and women's cross-country teams tested themselves this past weekend at the Master's University Invitational in Santa Clarita, competing primarily against a strong field of four-year university programs. Both squads stepped up to longer race distances than their usual format, with the men tackling an 8k course and the women running a 6k.

Women's Race (6k)

The Viking women rose to the challenge in their first extended-distance race of the season. Sophomore Itzel Aguilar led the team with a determined effort, crossing the line in 24:36.6. Close behind, newcomer Nikie Costa continued her steady improvement, finishing in 25:42.6. Both runners gained valuable experience competing in a larger, more competitive field while handling the demands of the 6k distance.

Men's Race (8k)

On the men's side, the Vikings leaned on their reliable leaders. Sophomore Jamari Gibson impressed with a strong showing, clocking 26:51.8 over the 8k course. He was followed closely by freshman Ethan Garcia, who posted a time of 27:09.0. The pair demonstrated poise and competitiveness against predominantly university-level athletes, gaining confidence and race endurance as the season progresses.

Looking Ahead

Both squads used the Invitational as a chance to sharpen their racing skills against higher-level competition and extended distances. The experience will serve as excellent preparation as the Vikings turn quickly to their next challenge—a short week of recovery and training before competing this Friday at the Tri-State Challenge in Las Vegas, NV.