NEW RANKINGS — Canyons Cross Country Included Among Region’s Best

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

The College of the Canyons men's and women's cross country programs are both included among the best in the Southern California region according to the most recent California Community College Cross Country & Track Coaches Association (5CTCA) rankings released Sept. 17. 

COC's women's program is the No. 3 team in Southern California and tops in the Western State Conference (WSC). Meanwhile, the Cougars' men's team ranks 11th among the 16 included schools from across the region and third within the WSC.

Canyons head coach Lindie Kane has seen both of her teams run strong in each of the first three events to begin the 2024 season.

The Lady Cougars won the season-opening San Diego Cross Country Kickoff on Aug. 30 then followed up with a third-place run at the Crush Invitational held at Woodward Park in Fresno, site of the annual 3C2A state championship meet, on Sept. 6. 

Most recently, the women of Canyons placed sixth at the Biola University Invitational on Sept. 13, running primarily against four-year programs. COC had been scheduled to run in the annual 3C2A Southern California Preview hosted by Chaffey College, but saw that event postponed due to air quality issues caused by surrounding wildfires. Canyons finished the Biola race as the top community college program at the meet. 

COC freshman Victoria Jamison was first to finish for the Cougars with a personal record time of 18:15.8. That placed her 21st in the field of 135 runners. Jamison also placed second in the season opener and fourth at the run in Fresno.

The Cougars' men's team has also experienced early success. Canyons finished second at the San Diego Cross Country Kickoff and eighth the following week at the Crush Invitational. COC's men's squad did not compete at Biola.

Freshman Nathan Parras has been the top performer thus far, finishing runner-up in the opener and 17th at the meet in Fresno.

Canyons will next compete at the Golden West Central Park Classic in Huntington Beach on Friday, Sept. 20.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Robert Hanashiro/COC Sports Information