OAHU, Hawaii. – The 2025 PacWest Conference Men's Cross Country Championship took place at the Hawaii Country Club for the first time Saturday morning. Vanguard men's cross country took on the tough terrain, placing sixth out of the 11 competing teams to cap off their final race of the season.

The Blue and Gold finished with 179 points and a total time of 2:18:23, compiling a sizable cushion over conference counterparts Dominican, Hawaii Pacific, Jessup, and Chaminade.

Likewise, all five of VU's returning runners to the PacWest Championships posted their best finishes at the event.

Preseason favorites Biola (2:05:50) won the team title with 35 points, usurping the two-time defending champions Azusa Pacific. The Eagles also produced the individual champion, Metl Von Moldendorff (24:33.6), while Concordia's Noah Plaza (24:44.4) finished runner-up.

The runners-up for team score were Fresno Pacific (53 points), who concluded the event with the most All-PacWest finishers with five.

What Happened? Jesse O'Campo, the Lions' leading runner, just narrowly missed an All-PacWest selection by three spots, as the junior ended in 24th overall. O'Campo clocked a 26:15.9 and picked up the pace in his final two splits, jumping 12 positions. His 24th-place finish is also a 27-spot improvement from his debut race at the PacWest Championships last year.

Senior Cooper Anderson crossed the line 10 places behind O'Campo with a time of 27:08.3 to earn a 34th-place finish, his best at the PacWest Championships. Two spots back was Ommar Arroyo, who notched 36th with a 27:15.1.

Caleb Dickerson marked 28:23.8, eclipsing one runner down the stretch to finish fourth among VU competitors and 40th overall. Coming in at 45th was Josiah Kirby, who ran a 29:19.7, while freshman Rylan Starnes (29:40.6) made his debut at the PacWest Championships three spots back in 48th.

What Was Said? "I'm very proud of our men's team today!" praised Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "They were focused, determined, and left it all out on the course. Jesse came very close to an all-conference finish, and Cooper and Ommar weren't too far behind. Very proud of these guys who have worked super hard all season long. Caleb, Josiah and Rylan gave it their all, too. Our men's team has made us all proud of them this year!"

'The race was a fun race, even though the course and conditions were not ideal," said Anderson.  "We still pushed through it well and even though we only had six men compared to most teams having seven, we finished sixth, which was our seeded place.  Overall, this season was memorable and full of a lot of great moments.  I'm glad to have been a part of this team!"