Santa Rosa men and American River women garner Big 8 Cross Country Championships

MARTINEZ - On Wednesday, October 30, the Big 8 Cross Country Championship took place at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez, hosted by Diablo Valley College (DVC). It was an event to remember, especially the exciting finish of the men’s race for the individual title. With less than 300 meters to go, a pack of six runners was battling up the final hill towards the finish. As they neared the top, the group quickly separated, leaving three runners within striking distance of each other. As they descended the final downhill and headed toward the finishing chute, it became a duel between American River College’s Cyrus Justiniani and Diablo Valley College’s Alan Solari. In the final 50 meters, Solari surged, overtaking Justiniani in the last 10 meters to claim the title of 2024 Big 8 individual XC champion.

Men's Team Results

1. Santa Rosa: 33
2. American River: 44
3. Diablo Valley: 83
4. Modesto: 85
5. San Joaquin Delta: 136
6. Sacramento: 149 

On the women’s side, ARC’s Alejandra Magana-Ramirez pulled away from the lead pack at mile 2, which included DVC’s Alana Sevier and ARC’s Alana Laverty. Magana-Ramirez crossed the finish line uncontested to become the 2024 Big 8 individual XC champion, winning by a 44-second margin. Sevier and Laverty claimed second and third place, respectively.

Women's Team Results

1. American River: 46
2. Diablo Valley: 54
3. Modesto: 55
4. San Joaquin Delta: 64
5. Santa Rosa: 113

(Shelly Pierson, Diablo Valley College Athletics)