PUC’s Cross Country Team Closes a Historic Season

On Monday, November 3, the women’s and men’s cross country teams from Pacific Union College competed at the California Pacific Conference Championships at Simpson University, where the men’s team placed in second place and the women’s team came in third.

Holding these titles is very special and significant for PUC. While individual athletes have placed in the top three in prior years, this is the first time the men’s team has finished second in CalPac, and the women’s team has placed in the conference despite having a hard time having a whole team last year. While the team’s season came to a close, three students moved on to the National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, FL, on Friday, November 21, breaking personal records.

Senior Andrea Maidan and freshman Manami Uyeyama advanced for the women’s team, leading the 6K race, with Maidan speeding to first, finishing in 25:02.78, over three and a half minutes ahead of the other 28 racers, and Uyeyama soaring in right after Maidan in second place with a winning time of 28:37.91. Both new to the team this year, they earned national qualifying spots, making them the first women Pioneers to compete at Nationals.

Representing the men’s team was senior Andrew Baluyot, who came in sixth place in 31:32.07, and was the only non-Simpson University student to qualify for Nationals. Baluyot earned a spot on the CalPac All-Conference Team and was awarded the league's Champion of Character Award alongside Maiden, who was the CAL-PAX Cross Country Solo Champion. He was also celebrated by representing PUC on the CalPac All-Academic Team as a chemistry major with a 3.98 GPA.

Pioneers Cross Country Coach Pablo Garrido and Assistant Coach Josue Hilario are proud of their athletes during this historic season. “When we heard that one of the runners on the men’s team qualified for Nationals (because he came in the top seven), Pablo and I were almost jumping up and down with excitement,” said Hilario.

“At the beginning of the season, I had a good idea that Andrea would qualify for XC Nationals due to her experience as a runner,” added Garrido. “But I never imagined I would have three athletes qualify! I was over the moon at the CalPac Championships when they crossed the line to qualify. It has been a huge morale booster for the team and the school.”

With these three achievements, Maidan and Uyeyama’s advancement to the National Championships marked the first time PUC women's athletes have advanced to the National Championships, and Baluyot is the second to do so in PUC history. “This will be a fun experience for the runners because they get to run with other experienced runners and hopefully form new connections,” said Hilario. “This also proves that PUC cross-country can make it to Nationals again in the future!”

When preparing for the CalPac Championships, Garrido and Hilario prioritized their runners' mental health and strength. As Pioneers Cross Country alumni and teammates, both coaches first-hand understood what goes into preparing for races and the mindset it takes from getting up in the morning for workouts to crossing the finish line.

“You can do amazing during track workouts or hill repeats, but when you’re on the race course, it’s not just about how hard you've physically trained, but also how hard you can push yourself past your limits and for how long,” said Hilario.“We do our best to remind them that the hard work always pays off, even outside of running.” He and Garrido have been coaching and guiding Baluyot, Maidan, and Uyeyama for their first-ever Nationals, and have not stopped training since the CalPac Championships.

Since the beginning of the season, Garrido and Hilario have seen their athletes grow tremendously as runners, students, and people. Through their 6 a.m. runs in the fog, rain, or cold, they kept their spirits up and pushed themselves to new heights, persevering physically and mentally. “I am beyond proud of my team and how far they have come,” said Garrido. “Their characters are what filled this team with so much life and shaped us into the athletes we are now. I am very grateful to be their coach and be a part of something so special to me in my heart.”

Garrido hopes to continue building a culture of “working hard, seeking beauty and loving one another” for PUC’s cross-country team. “I know it may sound cliché, but without hard work, one cannot reap the benefits of outstanding results,” he said. “Without seeking beauty in everyday life, the hard work becomes that much harder, as one forgets to appreciate the process; and without loving one another, we risk becoming too attached to the work itself and forgetting to be kind and encouraging.”

As these teams concluded an unforgettable season for PUC this year, Hilario is most proud of all their success, not just in sports. “These athletes are genuine people who strive to succeed in everything they do,” said Hilario. “I know that these athletes are already on the path to success, whatever that may look like for them.” He hopes all his athletes can look back on their season and feel proud of their ability to do whatever they set their minds to. As cross-country helped Hilario build a work ethic and confidence in himself, he hopes the sport can do the same and more for his athletes.