Rono came within 2 seconds of the 11-year old meet record by clocking a sizzling 24:21 to beat second-place Carlos Handler of Concordia by 22 seconds. Rono is also the first Cougar to win the men’s title since Jaime Martinez laid claim on the 1997 crown.
Rono’s effort paced a Cougar contingent that finished third overall, behind the NAIA’s top-ranked Concordia and No. 4 Westmont. Concordia ran away from the field, tallying just 33 points to capture its second straight GSAC championship. Westmont registered 70 points to post its best conference finish since claiming the GSAC crown back in 1997, while Azusa Pacific finished with 82 points.
Freshman Caleb Mesa joined Rono on the All-GSAC podium, finishing 14th with a 26:04. Senior Peter Sheman ran a 26:20 to come in 19th. Junior Bryan Rodie enjoyed his best showing as a Cougar, finishing 23rd with a 26:42.
“Aron was super today,” said Cougar coach Preston Grey. “He just missed the overall course record. Caleb ran very well as well, and Bryan stepped up today with an excellent showing for him.”
In the women’s race, Azusa Pacific finished fourth, recording 111 points to trail Concordia (32), Point Loma Nazarene (71) and Vanguard (82). The Cougars came into the meet ranked No. 7 in the NAIA but left Fresno having realized that it finished behind No. 9 Point Loma and unranked Vanguard.
Senior Whitney Jacobsmeyer collected her third straight All-GSAC honor by pacing the Cougars with an 18:47 to finish ninth out of 72 runners. Junior Olivia Richert was 18th with a 19:26.
“It wasn’t our best day,” said Grey. “We were just really flat. It was 80 to 85 degrees, and not that that can be excuse because it was hot for everyone, but we just couldn’t get it going. We’re going to be back here in 2 weeks for the regional meet, and we’ll be running with a chip on our shoulder because we have some business to take care of.”
Azusa Pacific is off next week but returns to competition Saturday, Nov. 4, back at Woodward Park for the NAIA regional championship meet.
