Mt. SAC XC Invitational: Record Books Rewritten
In California, the 77th Annual Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational once again lived up to its legendary status, and this year, the legacy grew even larger.
Yohanes Van Meerten, a junior from Flagstaff (AZ), put on a masterclass performance on the storied hills of Mt. SAC, obliterating the boys' course record on the revamped 3-mile layout with a 14:10, surpassing the previous mark by more than 30 seconds. His mile splits - 4:31, 4:55, and a 4:44 closer up "Reservoir Hill" - underscored just how perfectly executed his effort was from start to finish.
The performance solidified Van Meerten's place among the nation's elite, confirming that his early-season dominance at Desert Twilight was no fluke. It also served as a warning shot to the rest of the Southwest Region ahead of the championship stretch.
Van Meerten Shatters Mt. SAC XC Record with 14:10
On the girls' side, Braelyn Combe of Santiago (Corona) made Mt. SAC history of her own. Winning the D1/D2 sweepstakes for a third straight year, Combe clocked 16:53.2 to set a new meet record and lead her team to victory despite missing four varsity runners. Her consistency and ability to thrive on one of the toughest courses in the country continue to elevate her status as one of California's most dependable front-runners.
Beyond the individual fireworks, team competition was fierce. Mira Costa dominated the D1/D2 Team Sweepstakes, showing its postseason form with a deep, balanced lineup that could make noise at the CIF and NXN levels. With Mt. SAC serving as the key checkpoint before sectionals, both Combe and Van Meerten have set the tone for what could be an unforgettable November.
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Van Meerten, Combe Shatter Mt. SAC XC Records