Sean McDermott paces Cuesta men to cross country meet title

Freshman Sean McDermott won the men’s 4-mile run Friday in leading the Cuesta College men’s cross country team to the team title at the Tour de Cuesta Invitational at the Fairbanks Cross Country Course.

McDermott, running his first collegiate race, won in 22 minutes, 10.19 seconds. His win helped the Cougars top Citrus 22-55 for the team title in the five-team race.

Cuesta’s P.J. Van Beurden, a Morro Bay High graduate, was fourth in 23:01.81, and teammates Alex Ramirez (sixth, 23:14.13) and Sam Ryan (eighth, 23:28.10) were also in the top 10 for the Cougars.

Citrus edged Cuesta 31-35 for the women’s team title on the 5K course behind individual winner Antonella Curinga, who ran 21:11.92, topping Cuesta’s Aly Voth, who was second in 21:12.86.

The Cougars had two other runners in the top 10 as Claire Farrell was fourth in 22:06.71, and Nipomo gradate Taylor Witcher, who was sixth in 22:18.43.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 8:11 PM with the headline "Sean McDermott paces Cuesta men to cross country meet title."