RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Junior Julianna Mendez and freshman Sami Koss led the Dominican University of California women's cross country team to a tenth place finish in the PacWest Championships hosted by Califoria Baptist on Saturday. The men's cross country team finished in 12th place.

Dominican's women crossed the finish line with a total time of 2:05:13.94 for an average of 25:02.79, ahead of Notre Dame de Namur, Holy Names, UH Hilo, and Chaminade. California Baptist won both team titles. Azusa Pacific sophomore Eileen Stressling led all female runners with a time of 21.14.97 in the 6k. Academy of Art's Valentin Pepiot led all 88 men with a time of 24:29.73 in the 8k.

Mendez placed 22nd overall in the field of 100 with a time of 22:41.85. She lost contact from the lead pack, which pulled away and kept Dominican's top runner from moving up. Koss finished in 37th place with a time of 23:29.28. Freshman Gabi Foyle placed 70th with a time of 25:59.71. Sophomore Janine Villanueva placed 72nd with a time of 26:14.39. Freshmen Oriana Cortes and Karina Duarte were 75th and 78th respectively with times of 26:48.71 and 27:01.99. Sophomores Michelle Gonzalez and Sierra Najolia placed 80th and 82nd, respectively, with times of 27:31.98 and 27:42.76. Junior Katie Gomez rounded things out in 86th place with a time of 28:27.01.

The Dominican men were led by sophomore Anthony Sassano in 69th place with a season-best time of 28:48.79. Junior Chris Suen finished in 80th place with a time of 30:24.30. Freshman Brandon Barich posted a PR in 82nd in 30:37.65. Senior Patrick Davis finished with a time of 34:04.83, in 86th. Freshman Pavlos Peritos finished on Davis' heels with a time of 34:06.90.