De Anza Captures NorCal Championship!

Women's Team Wins Gold; Men's Team Finishes No. 10

Women's Final Results: https://rt.trackscoreboard.com/meets/1172525/events/1

Men's Final Results: https://rt.trackscoreboard.com/meets/1172525/events/2

Fresno, CA

Ranked fifth in the region entering the meet, the De Anza College women's cross-country team stormed from behind through the final two miles at Woodward Park to capture the 2025 3C2A Northern California Regional Championship — the program's first regional title since 2012.

The Mountain Lions scored 58 points to edge Hartnell (65) and College of the Sequoias (81).

Sophomore Siena Pignataro set the tone for the Mountain Lions with a fearless run, finishing runner-up in 18:32—a 39-second improvement from her 19:11 at the Clovis Crush Invite on the same course earlier this season.

Corinne Thelen followed close behind as De Anza's second scorer, storming to 19:15, more than a minute faster than her 20:23 performance at last year's State Meet — an incredible rebound that showcased her renewed fitness and poise.

Romy Kissling (20:25) was rock-solid, while Angela Ellis (20:49) provided critical depth to help secure the team's scoring edge in their Woodward Park debut.

The day's biggest statement came from Nathaly Bernal, who unleashed a breakout performance of 20:14 — a stunning 1-minute-49-second drop from her September race on the same course. Her effort sealed De Anza's dramatic late-race surge and cemented the victory.

"This group executed their race plans with precision," said De Anza head coach Andy Ponce de Leon.

"They stayed patient early, trusted their strength, and closed with absolute conviction. It was the definition of racing with purpose."

Up Next: De Anza advances to the 3C2A State Championships on November 22 at Woodward Park, Fresno, where the Mountain Lions will race for a state podium finish.

De Anza Men Deliver Breakthrough Performances at NorCal Championships

The De Anza College men's cross-country team capped its 2025 season with a long list collective personal best performance, placing 10th overall at the 3C2A Northern California Championships.

Nearly every Mountain Lion set a personal best on the challenging Woodward Park course, averaging more than a minute-per-runner improvement since September.

Giovanni Lancellotti led the Mountain Lions in 26th place with a career-best 21:56, cutting 1 minute 13 seconds from his 23:09 at last year's State Meet. 

Jonathan Kammerer (22:13) and Jerry Dang (23:14) followed with strong supporting runs, improving 1 minute 20 seconds and 22 seconds respectively from their Clovis Crush marks earlier this fall. 

Roee Biluar continued his breakout season with a new best of 23:11, a 52-second improvement from September's race. Brandon Phan (24:41) rounded out the scoring five to secure De Anza's top-ten team finish.

Together, the men averaged more than a minute-per-runner drop on the same Woodward Park course, underscoring the team's steady growth and competitive fire throughout the season.

"Our men competed with heart," said Ponce de Leon. "They've built consistency and confidence week by week, and that commitment showed in how deep the personal-best streak ran across the lineup."

Up Next: De Anza awaits official word from the 3C2A selection committee, with 1-3 individuals expected to qualify for the State Championships.