ROCKLIN, Calif. – Cross country returned to Rocklin on Saturday, with runners across the Golden State Athletic Conference getting their final look at the Jessup Cross Country Course before the conference championship. It was another great day for the Warriors, with the women's side going a perfect five-for-five on new PRs.
 
Saturday's Warrior Invitational was the second look for many at Jessup's on-campus course this season. The Warriors will also host the GSAC Championship in two weeks on November 5.

"It was great to be on our home course today and get to race on familiar territory, it was also great to have a field of NAIA competition after competing all season against primarily NCAA teams," said head coach Jeff Magley. "Having Arizona Christian and Menlo from our conference also gave us a great preview in two weeks."
 
Five runners were in action on Saturday for the Jessup women's team. Leading the way once again was Azalea Prince. Looking to set herself up for a third All-GSAC finish in two weeks, Prince took ninth on Saturday with a PR of 20:34.

On Prince's performance, Magley noted, "Awesome job by Azalea today to finish in the top-ten overall, and she now has a clear vision for our conference meet."
 
The four other runners competing for the Warriors also posted a new best time in the 6K. Those runners included Haley Borjas (22:24), Lacy Ceremony (22:37), Vivianna Gardea (23:37), and Hailey Hopkins (24:20).
 
Another highlight performance occurred in the men's 8K, as Jessup's leading runner in the race was Jonathan Conklin. Conklin, who is producing the best season of his Jessup career, led the team with a PR of 28:13.
 
Others in the field for the Jessup men were Zachary Heberlein (28:24), Travis Brown (28:32), Logan Dodge (28:35), Luciano Linares (28:43), Josh Spiva (29:11), Noah Classen (29:22), and Ethan Loomis (30:26).

"What a great moment for him," said Magley on Conklin's performance. "Then to have two newcomers step up and run as our number two and three today, with Travis and Zach, was awesome to see and great for those guys and their confidence going into the conference meet in two weeks."
 
Jessup's women's team took fourth in the six-team field. The Jessup men finished sixth of seven teams. Menlo College won the men's race, with Arizona Christian winning in the women's.
 
Runners will now get two weeks to prepare before hitting the starting line at the conference championship. Rocklin most recently hosted the GSAC Championship in 2020.
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).