Cross Country (Boys/Girls) | 11/18/2025 9:09:00 AM

At the risk of sounding repetitive... Cathedral Catholic Cross Country continues to set the standard in San Diego. On Saturday, both the boys' and girls' teams won the San Diego CIF Division III Championships, further solidifying what has become one of the most competitive eras in the program's history.

Back-to-Back for the Boys
The Dons didn't just defend their title; they controlled the race from the starting gun. Scoring 41 points, the team delivered a commanding win over La Costa Canyon (77), showcasing depth, discipline, and a perfectly executed race plan.

Senior Nathan Wilber capped his outstanding senior season and CIF career with a dominant wire-to-wire victory, crossing in 15:20.20 and never relinquishing the lead. His performance set the tone for the entire squad and earned him the CIF individual crown. Cathedral's strength has always been its pack running, and this year was no different. Including Wilber, the boys' team placed four athletes in the top 10.  Following Wilber were Aiden Angeles(5th), Teddy Lang(7th) and Andrew Martinez(9th). Senior Spencer Todd earned a crucial 19th-place medal (16:01.90), while Caleb Reid and Conner Ransom contributed important displacement points that helped secure the easy victory. With veterans leading and younger runners stepping up, the boys have now cemented their status as one of the top distance programs in Southern California. 

• Nathan Wilber, 1st 15:20.20
• Aiden Angeles, 5th 15:36.60
• Teddy Lang, 7th 15:43.40
• Andrew Martinez, 9th 15:45.10
• Spencer Todd, 19th 16:01.90
• Caleb Reid, 16:17.30
• Conner Ransom, 16:31.10

Said Wilber after the race, "(The weather) was bad, but I kind of liked it," said Wilber. "The whole idea was to just stay upright. I knew there would be no school or section records in this weather. The most important thing was qualifying for state, and we did that."

Five Titles in Six Seasons for the Girls
The girls' team has built an impressive dynasty, winning five CIF titles in six seasons (no championship was held in 2020 due to COVID). Their legacy is built on grit, consistency, and excellence across multiple graduating classes. In one of the tightest contests of the day, the Dons narrowly defeated La Costa Canyon by just five points—43 to 48—highlighting the importance of every athlete, every position, and every final push. Junior Calliandra Schulteis delivered an outstanding overall performance (18:01.30) and finished in third. Liesel Sellerberg and Eva Smith, overtaking several competitors in the final 100 yards of their race, scored crucial points for the Dons. The girls' team placed four athletes in the top 10. Grace Keefe and Kristine Bickler's strong finishes, along with Phoebe Brink and Lindsay Zimmer's vital support, secured the team title. This combination of elite front-runners and dependable depth has driven the girls' program's continued success.

• Calliandra Schulteis, 3rd 18:01.30
• Liesel Sellerberg, 5th 18:12.20
• Grace Keefe, 9th 18:16.20
• Kristine Bickler, 10th 18:21.20
• Eva Smith, 16th 19:10.70
• Phoebe Brink, 21st 19:38.10
• Lindsay Zimmer, 24th 20:02.90

A Program Built on Culture
Despite the cold, wet, and less-than-ideal conditions, the Dons community showed up. The support at the finish line, drenched but loud, and the energy at the awards ceremony reflected the tight-knit, committed, and unified culture that continues to drive this program forward.

At the awards ceremony, the unity between the boys' and girls' teams was impossible to miss. Both squads cheered each other on, lifted trophies together, and celebrated what has become a hallmark of this program: shared success.

Next Stop: State
Both teams now advance to the CIF State Championships on Saturday, November 29th, in Fresno, carrying momentum and a legacy into the biggest stage of the year.