GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - The Pirates closed out their 2025 season with a determined performance at the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday, November 15, finishing 18th overall with a score of 500 in Claremont, California.
With three days of Southern California rain creating slick, demanding conditions on the 8K course, the Pirates remained composed and executed a disciplined race plan. The group packed tightly through the opening miles and continued to work forward throughout the middle and late stages, capitalizing on opportunities to gain position against a deep regional field.
Head coach Joe Sponsel praised the team's adaptability and competitive fire in challenging circumstances."Three straight days of rain wasn't exactly the Southern California welcome we anticipated, but it never became a distraction. The guys adapted to the conditions, stayed focused on the race plan we've been preparing, and executed well. At championship meets, running your 'best' isn't always about PRs—it's about placement and how many runners you're moving past, and they did that extremely well. Every time I saw them on the course, they were gaining ground, and most were rewarded with their highest regional finish. I'm incredibly proud of this team's commitment and determination—especially Kevin Love, who battled through an ankle issue yet still made a major impact on our scoring. Without his toughness, we likely would have finished two or more places lower, as the next several teams were separated by only a handful of points. Thank you, Kevin."
The performance capped a season highlighted by significant growth and the emergence of a young core that consistently stepped up in championship settings.
SOUTHWESTERN RESULTS
MEET HIGHLIGHTS
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Salas finished 30 places higher than he did at last year's regional meet.
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Rosenquist improved 17 spots from his 2024 performance.
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Wines moved up 9 places compared to last season.
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Stoughton added another solid gain, finishing 5 spots higher than a year ago.
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