The Bakersfield College women’s cross country team and two individuals from the men’s team will go on to compete in State Championship after qualifying in the Southern California Championships meet held Nov. 11.

The women placed ninth out of 27 competing teams, with the top 14 teams guaranteed to advance to State. Glendale took first in the women’s race, Mt. SAC took second and Canyons came in third.

The seven women who will compete are Leah Theroux, Jessica Campbell, Emily Freeman, Paola Silvestre, Kelly Hartfield, Yareli Ocampo and Monet Portillo.

Theroux had the best time for the women’s team in the 5-kilometer race (3.1 miles). Theroux ran the race with the time of 19:41.26, placing 35th overall.

Campbell placed 41st with the time of 19:50.90. Freeman placed 59th and had the time of 20:13.40.

“The women in the Southern Californian division are typically the ones to beat, fierce competitors, and usually lead the state championships,” said Coach Dave Frickel.

The men’s team failed to qualify for State, placing 22nd out of 28 participating teams. Because the team will not qualify, the runners who scored individually higher can still go on to State.

“The top 50% overall of the entire field race will go on individually, if they placed 15th or higher,” explained Frickel.

Runners Juan Calderon and Richard Timmerman’s will go on to compete individually for BC.

Calderon completed the men’s 4-mile race and came in 41st. Calderon had a time of 21:17.87. Timmerman came in 60th in the race, with the time of 21:41.14.

Canyons won first place in the men’s race, Mt. SAC placed second, and San Bernardino Valley took third.

The State Championship meet will match Northern California against Southern California runners in a battle to see who is the best of the best, on Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. The Championship meet will be held at Woodward Park in Fresno.