Mt. SAC runner didn’t plan it, but he broke 4-mile course record at Woodward Park
A fast time at Woodward Park wasn’t on Mt. SAC sophomore Daniel Abdala’s mind when he began the hilly, 4-mile course Saturday morning.
In the end, Abdala broke the course record with a blistering 19:52.4 to capture the men’s title at the California Community College State cross country championship to help his school get second in the team standings.
“I didn’t go out for a fast time on this course,” said Abdala, who averaged 4 minutes, 58 seconds per mile. “I knew that it could be fast or it could be slow. But, I’m going to put the gas on the last few miles and that’s what I did.”
Abdala, a Latino, finished 19 seconds ahead of runner-up Isaac Gensel, a Hartnell College sophomore who timed 20:11.1.
His record effort came an hour after Canyons College freshman Danielle Salcedo, a Latina, finished the season undefeated in winning the women’s title.
The course, which is used for the state high school and community college championships, isn’t new to Abdala.
“I wasn’t a top individual coming out of high school, so I only came here for the Clovis ASICS Invitational,” said Abdala. “It always holds a special place in my heart. It’s the best cross country course in the state, of course.”
Abdala was happy with Mt. SAC’s second place in the team competition.
“I’m happiest for the team,” said Abdala, who broke away from a small group with 800 meters to go.
He was happy with the hills because it’s his strength.
“You could tell me to run up a mountain and I will do it,” said Abdala.
Mt. SAC was also helped by freshman Jesse Alvarado (5th, 20:21.3), sophomore Zackary Alexander (18th, 20:39.3), freshman Elijah Ocegueda (21st, 30:45.5), and freshman Yair Torres (24th, 20:50.9).
However, San Diego Mesa College had more firepower to capture its second consecutive state title. It had 50 points to best Mt. SAC’s 66 and Hartnell College’s 91.
Mesa had its first five runners place in the top 20, led by sophomores Estebán Magaña (4th, 20:18.5) and Jonathan Kelly (6th, 20:22.4).
Freshmen Juan Rosales (12th, 20:32.5) and Devin Provence (14th, 20:33.9) finished ahead of sophomore teammate Jesús Villarreal (17th, 20:39.3) for Mt. SAC.
Hartnell was paced by Gensel and freshman Estebán Deniz (16th, 20:39.2).
All-American honors went to the top 14 finishers.
Top finishers from the Valley were Modesto Junior College freshman Abrahim Alsaidi (15th, 20:38.7), Bakersfield College freshman Jacob Yagers (20th, 20:39.7), and San Joaquín Delta freshman Marco Pérez (26th, 20:51.3).