Runners train so that when they get to the starting line, they are ready to compete as soon as the gun goes off. What makes a cross country meet so exciting is seeing the race unfold and letting the challenges of the course determine who is able to prevail. With such rigorous preparation, anybody is capable of setting a personal record on any given day.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, the men’s cross country team took on a ten-team field in the official “preview” race to the Western Regional meet, which will take place in November.

Within the first miles of the race, it became clear that this day belonged to Brian Gillis PO ’10. Gillis positioned himself well from the beginning of the 8-K course. He got out with the front of the pack, and during the first mile, he briefly led the race with teammate John Mering PO ’10.

“I was feeling good in the first mile,” Gillis said. “After the first hairpin turn [around the scoreboard inside the track], John and I took the lead for about 800 meters by running around the leaders on the downhill. During that first mile, I knew I could finish in the top 5.”

Gillis ended up finishing second at 25:37, outpacing all of the SCIAC competition and leading the Sagehens to a second place finish with an average team time of 26:25.

Assistant Coach Torrey Olson was thrilled by Gillis’ performance but was even more excited by what the race could mean for the rest of Gillis’ season.

“Brian can be a tremendously strong mental runner, and it was thrilling to see him race with such control,” Olson said of his athlete. “He is stronger now than ever before, too, but I would rather look at Brian’s race and look ahead with my excitement, because I think his race casts light on some really exciting possibilities for him this season.”

Behind Gillis followed a team that continues to prove itself to be an incredibly deep squad. The Sagehens have constantly battled amongst themselves for top seven finishes in every race of this season thus far, reflecting the fact that the team has several runners who can have excellent races on any given day.

Captain John Mering PO ’10 followed Gillis with a tenth place finish in 26:19. Anders Crabo P0 ’12 missed the team’s last race at UC Riverside due to a minor injury but came back strong on Saturday as Pomona-Pitzer’s third finisher. Crabo placed 13th overall in 26:38. Alex Johnson PI ’13, Colin Flynn PI ’12, Charlie Enscoe PO ’11 and Paul Balmer PO ’10 rounded out the top seven as they finished in 26:42, 26:51, 26:54, and 27:14, respectively.

P-P’s new home course provides excellent views for spectators to witness the excitement of an unfolding cross country race. A spectator can stand in one location and watch harriers run by several times throughout race, making it possible to see how packs form, where battles begin, and who breaks away for the win.

Xander Olson PO ’10, a spectator, said he enjoyed the quality of the course.

“Being able to move around during the race made it much more interesting than I thought it would be,” Olson said. “I could watch the guys run down the hill to the soccer field and then I could move up to the track to watch them run through the wash loops. The most exciting part was the ending. Since the finish cut across the track and then finished on the backstretch, I could watch a 300 meter finish.”

Olson also noted the unique personal experience provided by running in a cross country race, something that other sports lack. “I actually liked watching the race more than some other sporting events because it was much more personal,” he said. “Everyone on the team basically ran right past me.”

The NCAA West Region meet on Nov. 11 will start at 9 am. P-P runners expect there to be more spectators as a result.

Mering said anyone interested in watching one of the most exciting sporting events to take place on the 5C’s this semester should contact him. The team hopes P-P students will come out and actively participate in the event to help support the Sagehens en route to a succesful race.

“I want a group banging pots and pans on the backstretch,” he said. “The group should also run over to the green track shed every time we finish and start a wash loop. And there will definitely need to be a hoard of shirtless fans on the hill between the soccer field and the track. Maybe we could get some sort of marching band as well. Or a 21 gun salute.”