IRVINE - The Dons men's and women's cross country teams each finished in fourth place at the Orange Empire Conference Championships held at Irvine Regional Park. The finish qualifies both teams for the Southern California Regional Championships next weekend on Saturday, November 9 in Valencia.

The women's race was first with Quetzalin Tepayotl leading the Dons with a 16th place finish just ahead of Marisol Vapor in 17th place. Next for the Dons was Jazmin Avila who scored in 23rd place followed by Gisela Lopez in 24th place and Azahalea Vazquez in 25th place. The final two Dons to cross the finish line were Angie Gomez in 29th place and Daena Marquez in 38th place.

The Dons fourth place finish was just four points behind third place Riverside City College. The conference championship went to Orange Coast College with Fullerton College finishing in second place.

In the men's race, the Dons were led by Edwin Ortiz-Lopez who finished in eighth place with a time of 21:38. Ortiz-Lopez was one of three racers in the top-10 that wasn't from Orange Coast College. Following him for the Dons was Geovany Garcia in 15th place, Adrian Delgado in 33rd place, Alfonso Anguiano in 35th place, Rafael Godinez in 37th place and Carlos Otiniano in 41st place.

Orange Coast College finished with seven runners in the top-10 to win the overall championship followed by Riverside City College in second place and Saddleback College in third place.