San Francisco, CA – Out in perfect running weather with a touch of rain, the men and women of the Academy of Art University Cross Country teams dominated a tri-meet featuring SF State and Cal State East Bay out at Golden Gate Park. Valentin Pepiot made his United States course debut by capturing first overall to lead a set of five Urban Knights in the top nine. The women were led by McKaela Christenson's top individual mark to a #1 team placement as well.

The men's squad started strong with Pepiot and Mack Marbas finding their way to the front of the pack and never faltering across the 7.2k course through Speedway Meadows. That duo would contend with SF State's Drew Feldman, but in the end Pepiot finished well ahead with a time of 23:40. Marbas was just behind his Gator opponent, taking third overall with a time of 24:05.

Supporting the pair at the top were Brett Bermudez, Austin Esposito, and Chris Costa. Those three crossed the finish line 7-9 overall, delivering times of 24:42, 24:48, and 24:52 respectively. Filling out the top-heavy push from Academy of Art were Maurilio Sanchez (13th, 25:21) and Logan Means (14th, 25:41). Additionally, Austin Murray (20th), Gage Benner (22nd), and Nicholas Alexander (24th) further demonstrated the depth of this year's team.

On the women's side, Christenson found herself in a lengthy battle with CSUEB's Imani Heath throughout the 4.5k set of loops. In the end, the Urban Knight prevailed as Christenson offered a 22:05 mark, finishing very well for first. Sophomore Kaelyn Harbison was among the top three for much of the way and ended up a solid third with a time of 22:42.

Like the men, Jamie Morris, Ericka Taylor, and Elizabeth Khuu were in a stretch of ART U runners finishing 8-10. In her first cross country race of the year, Morris went 23:12 while Taylor's second collegiate competition saw a 23:34 mark. Khuu was not far off at 23:41. From there, Madeline Dignadice (14th), Justice Hinojosa (19th), and Emily McCarty (20th) wrapped up the Knights' contingent.

Though three teams were involved, the meet was scored dual with the ART U men defeating SF State 25-30 and convincingly putting away East Bay 18-45. For the women, Academy of Art edged the Gators 27-29 and bested the Pioneers 19-38.

Academy of Art will be back in action on Sept. 27 when the Knights compete in the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto.