Cross Country Finishes Seventh at Bakersfield Invitational
The Cerro Coso Coyote Men's Cross Country team continues to make positive strides during the fall 2025 season. During the Bakersfield College invitational on October 3, the Coyotes placed 5 runners during the event which was good enough to earn a seventh place finish. The men's side faced a tough field, with Cerritos College ultimately taking the team win, the Coyotes, meanwhile, filled out parts of the standings and placed among the competing teams.
The Bakersfield course is known for being challenging — flat in stretches but deceptive in its undulations and exposed to heat and wind. On race day, the Bakersfield sun and dry Central Valley air made pacing and hydration key concerns. The 4-mile distance demands both speed and stamina, especially in the latter half.
Beyond stellar individual efforts, the Coyotes' depth will be something to monitor. Even if not all runners were in the top ranks, gains in consistency and tighter pack running can pay dividends as the season progresses. On the day, the Coyotes finished accordingly:
- Ryan Morrison (30th overall) 22:27:53
- Greg Ostrom 23:17:87
- Walker Flemming 23:35:34
- Leo Vasquez 29:21:37
- Andrew Quackenbush 30:48:57
The Coyotes will set their sights on the Inland Empire Athletic Conference Championships. The race will be held on October 24, in San Diego.
Eduardo Miranda
The Daily Independent
The Cerro Coso men's cross-country team competed in the Bakersfield College Invitational with 12 other junior colleges. The four-mile race took place on Friday afternoon with the Coyotes finishing in seventh place out of 13 JUCO schools. The Coyotes finished with 199 points as a team.
Coyotes head coach Devin Fahey said on his team's seventh-place finish, "I truly cannot believe the progress and success this team is achieving in such a short time span. They just keep getting better every day whether we like it or not. I can't wait to see what these men are capable of at the conference meet later this month."
Fahey added many of his runners earned two-mile personal bests en route to all of them earning a four-mile personal best.
The Coyotes' next meet is the Inland Empire Athletic Conference Championship at Harry Griddin Park in San Diego on Oct. 24.
Results
30. Ryan Morrison, 22:27.53
46. Gregory Ostrom, 23:17.87
50. Walker Fleming, 23:35.34
93. Leo Vasquez, 29:21.37
98. Andrew Quackenbush, 30:48.57