Cross Country (2025)
Panthers Steam Roll Record Books & All-Time Lists @ Team Time Trial!
September 8th, 2025
Berkeley, CA - “I looked up, and before I could see them I could hear them… chugging, driving like a steam train moving down the track. And then – Whoosh – they blew by me with such a force and purpose that you could tell they were going after the record. It was awesome!”
That’s how JV boys head coach Craig Sutphin described the opening minutes for the varsity boys at Monday’s annual cross country team time trial. Now in it’s 27th year, the history and deep record books makes the time trial especially significant for all Panther cross country runners – past and present. The rolling 1.98 mile course presents not only a challenge but an opportunity for runners to compare themselves against runners from the past as well as test themselves against - well, themselves.
Much like last year’s race, senior Tucker Presnell once again led the way. Already the course record holder, Tucker equaled his own course record (9:49) and secured his place as the fastest junior ever (2024), the fastest senior ever, and the fastest ever ever on the time trial course. 
Junior Djali de Chalus, also seeking record-setting times, ran step for step with Tucker for most of the race before just slightly falling back near the end. Still, his 9:56 ranks #5 all time on the course and #2 among juniors. Ian Kopchik, whose senior season has started spectacularly, ran 10:07 and is now the #6 performer ever.
Fellow senior Adrian Hall opened a lot of eyes with his blazing 10:12, which puts him at #8 on the all-time list. Both Ian and Adrian ran nearly :30 seconds faster than they did a year ago - suggesting that their senior seasons should shine. 
The 5th fastest Panther of the day is also now the fastest sophomore in school history. Kai Sullivan, who last year ran the second fastest freshman time ever, out ran that performance with a blistering 10:19. His time broke the sophomore class record of 3-time state medalist and former Brown University star Matt Duffy. Look for Kai to figure heavily into the team’s overall success this season. 
Another sophomore, Scott St. Clair, was unable to run the time trial last year due to illness. This year he made up for it and some, becoming the 8th fastest sophomore ever with his 10:58. Another underclassman, freshman Nico Cadelago open his Panther career with great success, running the 2nd fastest time ever for a 9th grader. His 11:12 has only been bettered by the aforementioned Matt Duffy. 
According to the coaches, other impressive performances came from sophomore Khalil Pearson (11:08), seniors Shane Doherty (10:36) and Mike Mazin (10:48), sophomore Lukas McAndrew-Kvaerno, and freshmen Nico Preas (13:04) and Hamilton Kim (13:05). Notable improvements by returning runners included Mateo Gates (3 minute improvement), Cole Shiu (2½ minutes) and Daniel Certa (2 minutes). 
On the girls side, sophomore Caty Ruppert shined the brightest. As a freshman a year ago, she posted a very respectable 14:19 which placed her as the 13th fastest 9th grader ever. This year, after a stellar spring track season and a lot of summer running, she ran 12:38 – which makes her the 4th fastest sophomore ever and the 9th fastest girl – regardless of age – in school history! Fellow 10th grader Evelyn Bird also made her way onto the all-time list by running 13:26 – good for 10th all-time. Junior Uma Vela was not far behind Evelyn, finishing in her personal best 13:41. Senior Charlotte Graham was a full minute faster than she was a year ago, running 14:28. Sophomore Jessie Ruppert was the 5th fastest girl of the day, finishing in 14:49.
‘Overall, we were very pleased with how the team ran today,” said boys head coach Jeff Rogers. “Our varsity boys were especially impressive. The fastest team time in history had been 50:58 by last year’s team that finished 5th at state. Today we ran 50:21 so that seems to be a sign that we’re headed in the right direction.” Indeed, all indications seem to suggest that you better jump on now because that running train is moving fast and may just pass you by if you hesitate.
Next up for the Panthers is the Ed Sias Invitational on Saturday at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez.
Season Preview: Motivated Panthers Eagerly Awaiting 2025 Season
August 9, 2025
Headliners Djali de Chalus and Tucker Presnell
Berkeley, CA - Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously reminded his Taoist followers that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Translated into modern day cross country terms, it could be said then that ‘The journey to a great season starts with one run… and then another… and then another.’ That seems to be the summer motto adopted by the Saint Mary’s cross country teams, who’ve been steadily running while eagerly anticipating the 2025 season.
“Both boys and girls teams had tremendous seasons last year,” said varsity boys head coach Jeff Rogers. “So the challenge will be to duplicate or even surpass that success. Those are lofty goals, but I think I speak for the runners when I say they’re up for the challenge.”
Girls Varsity Squad: Sabrina, Caty, Olivia, Jessie, Evelyn
Indeed, 2024 saw all-time individual and team records set, league titles won, state meet entries earned, and lots of improvement realized. Leading the way in 2025 will be a squadron of seniors on the boys side and a talented group of underclassmen for the girls.
Seniors Tucker Presnell and Ian Kopchick, along with junior Djali de Chalus give the Panthers as good a 1-2-3 punch as there is in the NCS this season. In 2024, Tucker ran his way to a 1st team All-NCS medal before finishing 15th at the California State Championships. Ian narrowly missed breaking the 16:00 5K barrier at State a year ago before blistering an impressive 4:24 – 1600 and 9:25 – 3200 in the opening week of the 2025 track season. After running 15:47 at the TCAL Championships a year ago, Djali had a breakout track season – running 9:14 at the NCS Meet of Champions and qualifying for the State as a sophomore! These three will undoubtedly lead the team in 2025. After that, look for seniors Mika Mazin, Shane Doherty and Adrian Hall to provide the type of depth, leadership and senior year performances that every coach will tell you are the keys to winning championships.
After impressive 9th grade seasons, sophomores Kai Sullivan and Scott St. Clair seem willing to enter the varsity fray. Now sophomores, both have had solid summers and both seem ready to not just compete but to contribute on the varsity level. Junior Finley Basler, last year's league JV champion, finally seems healed from a nagging hamstring injury and is intent on being in the mix. If healthy, this 2025 Panthers group intend to compete for top league, section and state honors.
After a summer of training, sophomores Caty Ruppert and Evelyn Bird, along with junior Uma Vela, have emerged as the apparent lead runners for the girls squad. “Those three have been diligent and working hard this summer,” noted longtime coach Denis Mohun. “Their attitude and drive so far have been as good as any group we’ve had in recent times. Don’t be surprised if all three of them have breakout years.”
Following them will be sophomores Jessie Ruppert and Olivia Chu as well as junior Sabrina Jackson. All three battled injury last track season which lingered into the summer. However, all three seem to be on the mend and should round out the scoring for the upstart group. Senior Ella Pollard has been impressive this summer according to Coach Mohun and could provide, along with her running talent, much needed leadership.
l to r: Ian, Djali and Mika
The season begins with the 27th annual team time trial on September 8th before a trio of invitationals (Ed Sias, Woodbridge, Artichoke) propel the team into early October when the TCAL season kicks off. After a crowded 6-way meet against De Anza, Hercules, etc.. the Panthers travel to Clovis and Hayward for two more invitational meets before closing out the regular TCAL season. November is championship season, with league, section and state championship competitions all looming large for these 2025 Panthers.