The Hancock College cross country program has competed in two meets this year, and Hancock sophomore John Gutierrez has won the men's race both times.

Gutierrez won the four-mile race at the Bulldog Invite handily Friday, in 22 minutes, 22.16 seconds. Hancock hosted the meet at the Las Flores Ranch course outside of Orcutt.

Gutierrez led by about 100 yards at the two-mile mark and maintained his big margin. Runner-up Edgar Gil of team winner Bakersfield finished in 22:51.30.

The meet Friday was the first one in decades that the Hancock cross country program had hosted.

"I think this course is tougher than the Fairbanks course, but I ran (almost) five seconds faster," said Gutierrez, who graduated from Pioneer Valley High School. "That's crazy."

The Hancock men's and women's teams open

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