Russell Gokemeijer and Daniella Hubble win WCC runners of the week

LUKAS BLAKENSTEIN/ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

     The USD women’s cross country team took home first place at the San Diego Mesa College Invite. The Toreros toppled 10 other teams to take home the title. The race took place on Friday, Oct. 6, and was the team’s third race of the season. This was the Toreros’ first race win since 2021, when they won the USD invite.

     The women’s team was led by junior Daniella Hubble, who finished second in the women’s race with a time of 18:46.33 in the 5-kilometer race, a personal best for her. Her performance led to her securing the West Coast Conference (WCC) runner of the week.

     Will Guarino, the head coach of both the men’s and women’s cross-country teams, had high praise for Hubble.   

     “This is a young person who has worked very hard to develop her own personal running. She started as a freshman… to see her evolve and run so well is awesome,” Guarino said. Hubble was followed closely by redshirt junior Aryam Jaimes, who finished third with a time of 18:47.63, and graduate student Gianna Sbarbaro, who finished fifth with a time of 19:13.87.

     Guarino spoke of his team’s ability to work together.

      “Oftentimes it looks like an individual sport, but what you want to do as a coach is to [get them to] leave the ego alone,” Guarino claimed. 

     “The whole concept of a team is a very important concept for us,” Guarino shared. 

     USD sophomore Maggie Duba also put on a strong performance. Duba started the race slowly, beginning in 28th place after the first kilometer. However, she rose through the ranks as the race went on, finishing in 10th place overall with a 19:47.87 time in the 5K. 

    Guarino discussed how he coaches the mental aspect of cross country to help runners like Duba battle adversity.   

     “From my perspective, it’s understanding the athlete, allowing them to understand their deficits and work on their deficits to actually strengthen them,” Guarino stated. “I have a really strong belief that it’s just as important as physical strength.”

     The men’s team was also in action at the San Diego Mesa College Invite, finishing fifth out of 16. The men’s team was led by Russell Gokemeijer, who finished 22nd in the men’s 4-mile race, with a time of 21:18.1. This time also granted him WCC runner of the week honors.

     Guarino spoke well of Gokemeijer’s talent and work ethic.

     “He has a lot of range; he’s an endurance monster. He brings hard work to the table, if anything I have to slow him down at times in practice, so he can have even more fulfilling races,” Guarino said.

     “I’m even more proud of his leadership. He leads by example and he also makes athletes around him better, which is an incredible gift to have as a coach.”

     Gokemeijer also spoke on winning the WCC runner of the week.

     “I was surprised and excited to see I was runner of the week. It feels great to get some recognition for the work that I and my teammates put in every day.”

     The Toreros will be back in action for the WCC Championships on Oct. 28. The Championships will take place in Malibu, and both the men and the women are racing in the championship.

     Guarino responded to how he plans to keep the pace up leading into the coming races.

     “Most importantly, at this stage of the season, keeping the fun is important. Winning isn’t the only other variable. If an athlete isn’t having fun, they’re not relaxed, and they’re not actually able to execute the next stage,” Guarino said.

     This has already been an eventful season for the Toreros, who are continuing to prepare for their future races. For now, the Toreros will celebrate their victory and the individual accomplishments of their runners, while also managing to have some fun, according to Coach Guarino.