After a men’s cross country race, you might look at any swath of the 8K course as the turning point, you might look at any of a team’s five scoring runners as the difference maker.

In The Master’s University’s hunt for an eighth straight Golden State Athletic Conference title Saturday in Rocklin, Stephen Pacheco’s second-place finish was key.

Skyler Mikesell in third was crucial.

But Alec Franco boosted the Mustangs over the top, finishing fifth for the team and edging out Westmont’s Michael Conant for 13th place.

The difference was a hair more than three seconds, a tight margin reflected in the final score.

Master’s beat Westmont 37-38 to build on last year’s seven-peat. It came on a rainy day at Johnson-Springview Park, the same course the Mustangs raced at on Oct. 21 for the Warrior Invitational.

Westmont prevailed that day, but Master’s wasn’t at full strength. Fortunately, it wasn’t for all the marbles.

Saturday, when it was, Josh Nunez came in ninth overall and Wes Methum, 10th.

Pacheco finished in 24 minutes, 50.2 seconds. Mikesell came in in 25:03.8.

Most importantly, Master’s came in first for the eighth straight time.

“My team prepared well,” said coach Zach Schroeder. “They brought their best today, and the Lord gave us the victory.”

Here are the final results.