SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Hope International women's cross country team placed seventh out of eight teams Friday morning at Central Park, with sophomore Lupe Mata leading the way in 17th place individually to conclude the 2026 season at the GSAC Championships.

Mata posted a time of 24:20.8 on the 6K course. She improved by four spots in the final standings following her 21st place finish in 2025. The 24:20.8 showing represents her second-fastest time this season on a 6K layout.

Senior Maya Estrada-Garcia finished 19th overall in 24:41.7.

Fellow senior Jazmin Zambrano posted a 37th place finish in 27:38.7. Rounding out the Royals lineup was freshman Delyla Ross (58th, 38:40.0) and junior Amber Minjarez (60th, 45:24.6).

The Royals scored 168 points, finishing in front of eighth place OUAZ with 230.

The Master's won the team championship with 31 points, placing seven runners individually in the top 10.

Individual champion was Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) junior Sophia Noriega, who clocked 21:21.7.