In another historic performance, fifth-year Tatiana Cornejo placed sixth in the women’s 6k, punching her ticket to the NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Cal Poly Cross Country competed in the NCAA West Regional meet on Friday at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course in Sacramento, and Cornejo impressed once again. Overall, the men placed 13th, and the women finished 14th.
Cornejo didn’t slow down after winning the 2026 Big West individual title just two weeks ago, crossing the finish line with a time of 19:30.6. The sixth-place finish secured her spot in nationals by being one of the top four finishers at the West Regional meet that was not on a team that qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Cornejo’s race was one for the record books. By placing in the top 25 at regionals, Cornejo became a three-time USTFCCCA All-West Region honoree and the first three-timer in the history of Cal Poly women’s cross country. Her sixth-place finish also tied for the second-best individual finish ever (male or female) at the West Regional meet by a Mustang.
Junior Nikki Bridges was next to cross the finish line for the Mustangs, taking 80th with a time of 21:11.3. Senior Lianna Guerra placed 92nd, and freshman Sydney Middleton finished 101st in her first appearance at regionals.
To round out the seven women who competed for Cal Poly, freshman Isabella Ramirez earned 104th, senior Sydney Sundgren 133rd and freshman Brenna Mannion placed 185th.
On the men’s side, senior Rory Catsimanes was the top finisher in 62nd place with a 10k time of 30:38.3. Senior Dheeraj Gurusamy was right behind, taking home 69th place, and sophomores J.R. Lesher and Miles Cook followed in 74th and 77th, respectively. Freshman Kyle Jakary earned 80th in his first regional meet; senior Ethan Miller placed 111th and freshman Andres Lomeli finished 121st.
While the season is over as a team, Cornejo will return to action at the NCAA Championships next Saturday, Nov. 21. The women’s 6k championship race starts at 7:20 a.m. PST and will be streamed live on ESPNU.