Cross Country kicks-off the Cuesta College Athletics first regular season competition this Friday with the Tour de Cuesta on the Fairbanks Cross Country Course. The Cougars will be joined by local rivals Allan Hancock and Bakersfield, while Santiago Canyon and Saddleback shall also make the trek from Orange Country. The Saddleback Bobcats are an event mainstay, thanks to Coaches Matt Sherman and Mark Blethen, who both began their coaching careers at Cuesta College.
The women's team boasts a small but amazing roster led by two former Cuesta College Female Athletes of the Year- Madeline Fletcher and Elle Casselman. Fletcher and Casselman shall be joined by two regional qualifiers from track and a pair of freshman standouts. Fletcher starred for the Cougars during the pandemic shortened 2021 season and, while the cross-country season was cancelled, led the Cougars to a Western State Conference title in Track & Field. She won two conference titles for the Cougars and added a runner-up finish as she led the program to its first conference title since 1988. She was tabbed as the 2021 Cuesta College Female Athlete of the Year and went on to star for St Mary's College in Moraga. She spent two seasons as a member of the Gaels' Track & Field teams, specializing in the 200 and 400-meter runs, while also putting in one season of cross country. Fletcher joined Cuesta Track & Field's Coaching Staff this past Spring but, for the moment, is hanging up her whistle for a chance to compete and complete her cross-country eligibility. Casselman only competed in track her first year at Cuesta and reached the CCCAA State Finals in the 800-meters. Last year, she competed in both cross country and track. In cross country, she was named to all-WSC First Team, before making both the all-Region and all-State Second Teams. Her 25th place time of 19:27 at the CCCAA State Cross Country Championships is also the 16th fastest time for the State Meet in Cuesta's record book. Last Spring In track, she won a pair of conference titles and was a favorite to return to the State Meet and compete for a State Title, however her run for a crown was shut down due to a late season injury. Casselman was one of only two harriers on the Cougars' team last year, but despite the departure of her fellow all-State running mate Summer Gelman, Casselman shall be joined by a full pack and a chance to score as a team. Fletcher and Casselman will be joined by returning Cuesta Track & Field Athletes Quinn Dubrul and Sydney Culp, as well as newcomers Matilda Bravante and Serena Stamford. Dubrul only competed in Track & Field as a freshman in 2023-24, but Atascadero High's former Team Captain and MVP will be back in the pack this year. Culp joined Dubrul to lead the Greyhounds to a league title in track & field, but, after a year off to concentrate on track, they are both back on the course. During Cuesta's last track season they both reached the Regional Meet; with Dubrul reaching the prelims in the 800-meters and Culp finishing 11th in the 1,500-meter Final. Bravante and Stamford both with went to high school within running distance of the Cuesta campus, although from opposite ends of Highway 1. Stamford, like Fletcher, is a former SLO Tiger and was the program's rookie of the year the season after her current teammate graduated. She finished her prep career as a four-time letterman. Bravante hails from Morro Bay High and is also talented performer and artist; however, this Fall the former mid-distance specialist will push her talents on the cross-country course.
