SAN MARCOS ---- Muluken Beressa knows well the story of Meb Keflezighi, the African-born distance runner who came to San Diego as a child and went on to become one of America's greatest distance runners, winning a silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics and just last weekend becoming the first American to win the New York Marathon in 27 years.
Beressa was born in Ethiopia and came to the United States as a teenager, then became one of the top high school runners in San Diego County while attending Monte Vista High.
"It's a similar story to Meb's," said Cal State San Marcos cross country coach Steve Scott.
Beressa, a 21-year-old junior at Cal State San Marcos, helped the Cougars' cross country program hit a grand slam at the Association of Independent Institutions cross country championships Saturday morning on their campus course, winning the men's race.
Senior Dallon Williams won the women's race and the Cougars men's and women's teams narrowly achieved team titles, each by just two points. The victories sewed up an automatic bid for both teams to the NAIA national championships in two weeks in Vancouver, Wash.
Last Sunday, Beressa found himself in front of a television for the end of the New York City Marathon to see Keflezighi close out his milestone victory.
"Yeah, I watched it with about two miles to go from the finish line," Beressa said. "I like him. He's a good guy.
"I know the whole story about him."
The significant action in Beressa's victory came late in the race as he overtook Kevin Friesen of Simon Fraser University on a downhill section in the final mile of the 8-kilometer course.
"Actually, my kick is sort of my weakest link, so I was really trying to press the pace the last two miles," Friesen said, "But he ended up catching me. It was a good duel, but it kind of got away from me."
Looking over his shoulder as the race finished with one lap around the track, Beressa reached the finish line in 24 minutes, 14 seconds. Friesen crossed in 24:15.
David Edwards was third for Cal State San Marcos, which is ranked No. 7 in the NAIA and was able to hold off Simon Fraser (41 points) and British Columbia (44) for the team title.
Williams won the women's race going away, beating teammate Caitlin Villareal by 30 seconds.
"(Villareal) and I have been running about the same," Williams said. "We were planning on working together. But I've been kind of struggling with my running and I felt really good around the second lap. I haven't felt good in a couple weeks."
That is where Williams, of Turlock, broke up the two-person lead pack and made her move, continuing to press her advantage as she went on to establish a personal best-time on the 5K course of 16:55.
Third place went to Oceanside High product Jessica Sandoval. The 1-2-3 finish allowed the Cal State San Marcos women ---- ranked second in the NAIA ---- to edge Simon Fraser 39-41. British Columbia was third in the five-team conference.
"I know nationals is a harder course, so I really wanted to see if I could PR on this course," Williams said. "It's my last chance because I'm a senior. I really wanted to try.
"I'm excited for nationals."
