The 2022 Manny Bautista Cross Country Invite concluded this weekend at Liberty Station in Point Loma. The event featured 195 athletes from 18 teams and is the largest community college meet in the state. The men’s team finished in first place beating Central Arizona 42-83. The women’s team continued to improve, finishing in 4th place in the 5-kilometer race.
The meet is named after Manny Bautista, who is very much alive, who recently retired after a 14-year coaching career at Mesa College. Bautista's teams won 4 State Championships. His 1994 Women's State Cross Country Championship team was the first Women's State Championship team in school history. The 1998 Women's State Championship in Track and Field Team remains the only State Track and Field team in school history to win a state championship. Bautista's 2000-2001 Men's State Cross Country Teams were voted the number one community college team in the nation. Upon his retirement in 2002 Bautista had been voted California Community College "Coach of the Year" four times.
(Video: Manny Bautista on how he feels about having a meet named after him https://rb.gy/1kph5z)
“Manny Bautista had a great career as both a coach and a faculty member at Mesa,” states Ryan Shumaker, Dean and Athletic Director for SD Mesa College. “The fact that (head coach) Sean Ricketts ran for him as a student-athlete at Mesa adds to the full-circle story of our cross country program. Manny's accomplishments both at Mesa and beyond are to be commended.”
Cesar Mireles of Bakersfield College took the top individual spot in the men’s 4-mile race completing the course in 20:03.3. However, with 7 Olympians finishing in the top 20, the overall title was awarded to SD Mesa College. The squad was led by Juan Rosales who finished in 4th place (20:24.48), Jyden Schmid (20:35.64), Alan Jimenez (20:54.67), Devin Provence (20:57.90), David Millan (20:59.07), Jesus Villarreal (21:00.83), and Victor Ross (21:13.22).
(Video: SD Mesa College men’s cross country post-race interview https://rb.gy/ylvgyz)
The women’s team finished 4th overall in the 5-kilometer race. Mohussin Abakar completed the course in sixth place (19:25.99), Kyana Cook at 13th place with 19:56.80, Sophie Moser-Smith 20:46.29, Presley Bennett 20:56.36, Madison Decker (21:00.75), Sidney Garcia 21:08.59, and Briana Ayala 24:04.30. Ricketts highlights the continued improvement of the women’s team this season. “If there was one surprise from the meet it came from our women’s team,” states Ricketts. “Even though we are still shuffling our top 6 players, the team has done everything that I have asked and I am noticing the time gaps are closing. Their continued improvement is perfect timing for November championship rounds.”
Mesa Community College (Arizona) flexed their muscle showing the field why their women’s team is ranked #1 in the nation. The Thunderbirds take the crown beating Mt. San Antonio College with a total time of 1:39.40 to Mt. SAC 1:41.01.
(Video: SD Mesa College women’s cross country post-race interview https://rb.gy/617yoi)
Daniel Pescador, head coach for Mesa Community College (Arizona) mentioned that he wanted to compete with the best junior college in California. “We wanted to push ourselves and see how we stacked up.” He adds, “I would say we accomplished our main expectation of placing both teams in the top 3. It was a bonus to win the women’s and we expect this to be a yearly trip for us. Everything was smooth about this event. Overall a terrific event.”
“Kudos to Sean Ricketts and his amazing staff of assistant coaches for putting on a top-tier invitational. Sean is one of the most organized coaches I have ever been around,” adds Shumaker. “His work ethic, attention to detail, and his love for the student-athletes and the sport of cross country definitely shine through in the quality of the invitational. It is important to all of us that this meet be put on in a way that exudes professionalism, organization, and that allows the talent of the student-athletes to be featured. I have a feeling that this invitational will be around for a while.”
(Video: Head coach Sean Ricketts discusses the annual event https://rb.gy/wbcj9d)
NEXT UP:
Both teams will travel on Saturday, October 15th to compete at the University California Riverside Highlander Invitational. This is the last event prior to the PCAC Championships on October 28th at Norco College.