Bobcat men second at finals

The Saddleback men's cross country team finished second at the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Finals on Friday in Huntington Beach.  Four Bobcats were named to the All-Orange Empire Conference Team following the meet.

Saddleback has been priming for a big finish all season long and looked great on Friday at the OEC Finals.  The Bobcats had seven harriers finish in the top-20 overall, with four finishing in the top-14 to qualify for all-conference status.

Brandon Pizano-Pintor was the top returning runner for Saddleback this season after finishing 11^th overall at the CCCAA State Finals last season.  Pizano-Pintor didn't disappoint at the OEC Finals on Friday, finishing second overall.  He crossed the finish line in 20:23.04, which was 55 seconds quicker than his finish on the same 4-mile trek in mid-September. 

Pizano Pintor was selected to the All-Orange Empire Conference First Team for his efforts on Friday.  Three others made the second team in Justin Boos (21:12.19), Santiago Sanchez (21:13.75) and Diego Martinez (21:14.14).  The trio finished 12-13-14 overall while running in a pack to the finish line. 

Saddleback's second place finish at the OEC Finals was the best since finishing second in 2015.    The 2015 team also finished fifth at the Southern California Regional Finals and ninth at the CCCAA State Finals.

Saddleback will compete in the Southern California Regional Finals next Friday in Bakersfield.