Cross country team leader Francisco Mejia, a sophomore, led Bakersfield College as he finished first for BC and eighth overall with a time of 21 minutes, 57 seconds Oct. 2 at Hart Park during the men’s 4-mile race at the Bakersfield Invitational.

Francisco talked about past experiences with the course and his endurance in the current race.

“A few years back I ran for BC. I ran [the course] before. It was pretty fast. The last mile was probably the fastest. That last mile, my body felt tired so we pushed it.”

Mejia added about the other runners’ endurance.

“We had to push it so we gave a good finish. It was because we had to push it beyond our comfort level and go out there.”

Mejia was pleased with his placing in the race but strives for more.

“I think eighth place is good right now. We’re going to progress in the season.”

Mejia is a role model for the BC teams and is glad to help his teammates.

“I’ve been running for a long time now, and anytime they want to ask me advice for it, I’m willing to give it,” he said. “I’m always willing to help out wherever they need me. They feel that they can improve their running. I’m a great motivation – I’m a great inspiration to help them out.”

BC freshman Roberto Quintero finished 17th, and sophomore Victor Diaz was 29th.

Sophomore Emnet Habebo led the BC women with an 18th place out of 59 in the 5-kilometer run with a time of 22:24.

BC teammate sophomore Melinda Magee finished 34th.

Habebo had few words on the race but is prepared for the rest of the season.

“I did my best. That’s all I can say, it’s beginning of the season so I’m still working.”

Habebo added about the course and knowing it from last season as a freshman, “It helped me, being familiar helps.”

Habebo added, “This is more of a flat course – it gets you more speed than endurance.”

BC coach Dave Frickel mentioned how different the Bakersfield course is compared to the rest that the runners will see.

“Our course is probably one of the fastest courses we’ll get a chance to run on.”

Frickel sees improvement in his young runners.

“I think they’re finally starting to get in better shape. They’re starting to race a little bit more aggressive,” said Frickel.

The BC men face a tougher race than high school, being a mile longer, according to Frickel.

The BC women also have new expectations this year.

“The girls, for some of them, it’s a wakeup call for what they ran in high school – the competitions are more intense.”

Frickel added about training, “We’re just trying to get them fast. The next few weeks, we’re working on a lot of speed work. Hopefully that generates into faster times.”

Ebebo finished 67th out of 167 at the Sept. 25 Golden West invitational in the women’s 5k. Mejia finished 21st out of 196 and Quintero finished 23rd in the men’s 4-mile.

The BC teams travel to the L.A. Pierce preview meet Sept. 9 and the Western State Conference preview meet Sept. 16.