Small yellow flags waved in the cool wind lining the trails at Liberty Station’s NTC Park, which was set ablaze by the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) cross country championship on Oct. 22.

The San Diego City College women’s cross country team had heavy competition as all San Diego colleges participated in the meet.

The Knights made history, finishing in second place in the PCAC. It is their highest finish in the conference since 1989.

City had been competitive with two first place finishes, one third and a sixth place in the last four meets, so the Knights were expected to place high in the rankings.

“As a team, I am very confident that we will make at least second place in our conference meet,” freshman psychology major Sofya Chernyak (East Village Middle College) said in an interview before the meet. “We will make it to the regional meet, however, we are concerned about qualifying for the state meet as only the top four teams make it to that.”

Sophomore co-captain Yesenia Huerta (Southwest) led the way with a 21:18.9 to finish in fifth place overall.

“I kept reminding myself to keep my eyes up and not to look down,” Huerta said.  “We all did great no matter what place we got or time we got.”

Freshman Isabelle Dalton (Serra) finished in eighth, and sophomore Calysta Lopez (San Juan Capistrano) placed eleventh. 

“My team is supportive and all push each other,” she said, appreciative of the team chemistry. 

The Knights will next move on to the Southern California regional championship, which will be held at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley on Nov. 5 at 11 a.m.