MJC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams Take 2nd Place at Big 8 Championships
November 5, 2025

MJC Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams Take 2nd Place at Big 8 Championships

The Modesto Junior College (MJC) Men's and Women's Cross Country Teams both earned second-place finishes at the Big 8 Conference Championships, held at Tuolumne River Regional Park. The strong performances from both squads highlight the continued success and depth of MJC's storied cross country program.
 
The MJC Men's Team had an impressive showing, led by All-Conference selection Oscar Angel (Manteca High), who completed the 3.91-mile course in 20:04 to secure a top individual finish. Joining him with All-Conference honors was Ernesto Pacheco (Sierra High), who placed 13th overall in 21:07.5.
 
Other key contributors included Guillermo Castaneda (Gregori High, 21:14.5), Andres Calderon (Pacheco High, 22:07.3), Edgar Alvarez Diaz (Patterson High, 22:09.3), Dario Rodriguez (Manteca High, 22:13.3), and Diego Gallardo (Patterson High, 22:20.3). Their efforts secured the Pirates a strong second-place team finish against a competitive Big 8 field.
 
The MJC Women's Team matched the men's success, capturing second place overall—the program's best team finish at the Big 8 Championships since winning the title in 2013.
 
Sophomore Mikayla Bueno (Sierra High) led the Pirates with a lifetime best 5k time of 19:26, finishing third overall and earning First Team All-Conference honors.
 
Freshman Jordyn Hegarty (Manteca High) finished sixth overall in 20:17, also claiming First Team All-Conference honors and ranking as the second-fastest freshman in the race.
 
Izabella Rodriquez (Ripon High) turned in a remarkable personal record, improving her previous best by 1 minute and 11 seconds with a time of 20:46, earning Second Team All-Conference honors.
 
Rounding out the top five were Aleena Nunez (Modesto High, 21:47 – season best, 15th overall) and Mallory Govia (Ripon High, 22:14 – 20th overall). Impressively, four of the team's top five finishers are freshmen, signaling a promising future for the program.
 
Both MJC teams now turn their attention to the Northern California Championships, where they'll aim to continue their postseason momentum and qualify for the CCCAA State Championships.