This week's Pioneer Spotlight focuses on two distance runners - Cole McKain from men's cross country and Madison Gomez from women's cross country. With two meets on the trails already in 2024, the runners will look for even faster distance times heading into this week's meet in the Cougar Challenge in San Marcos. 

Already McKain has been on the All-CCAA men's cross country team three times as he will look to be there again after the CCAA Championships in Fresno in late October. To start his senior campaign, he won the men's 4-mile during the Seawolf Invitational/CCAA Preview then followed up his win the next week as the fastest Division II runner in the men's 8k of the Stump Invitational. 

"Being a Pioneer means showing up everyday and giving 110%." says McKain. 

McKain's roots are inspired by his family. "I am inspired by my Papa who hasn't missed a race and has always had so much faith in me." 

The Information Technology major from Merced has parallel points of focus during his remaining time at East Bay. "My short term goals are to learn more in cybersecurity and to focus on each race at a time. Long term goals are to win the CCAA, to pass my certifications and to graduate!"

After running competitively as a collegiate athlete, McKain hopes to take his education and running beyond the campus. "I envision being really happy with my career choice, I will still be running and racing frequently and will be able to spend more time with family."

Back on September 14, Gomez achieved her fastest 5k (18:26.4) time in the Stump Invitational. In 2023, she ran a 6k personal best of 22:20.8 (13th fastest 6k time in program history) in the Cougar Challenge, as she will return to the same course this week in hopes of an even faster 6k. 

When Gomez isn't running, she enjoys thrifting, spendding time with her friends, going to concerts and watching movies.