University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Fresno Cross Country Invitational
Cross Country Opens 2018 Season at Fresno Invitational
August 30, 2018 | Cross Country
LOS ANGELES โ The UCLA cross country team opens the 2018 campaign this weekend, competing in the Fresno Cross Country Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif. The event is scheduled for Saturday morning, with the women starting at 8:15 a.m. and the men starting at 8:45 a.m.
Hosted by Fresno State University, the course features a 5K run for the women and a 4-mile run for the men.
This is the second year for the cross country program under Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Avery Anderson and assistant coach Devin Elizondo. In the first season under the new regime, the men secured NCAA qualification, finishing 21st at the NCAA Championships, while the women recorded a 12th-place finish at the NCAA West Regionals.
Ahead of the new year, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) ranked the Bruin men as the No. 20 team in the nation and the No. 5 team in the West Region. The women were tabbed No. 15 in the West Region.
The Bruins will send six runners apiece on the men's and women's sides for Saturday's race.
On the men's side, the UCLA group going to Fresno features three returners and three newcomers. Returners set to compete include redshirt sophomore Tyler Janes (12th-place finisher at the TMU Invite last year), redshirt sophomore Chris Morzenti (64th-place finisher at the 2017 Pac-12 Championships), and redshirt sophomore Andy Ehrenberg (eighth overall at 2017 TMU Invite).
Exciting newcomers on the start list include sophomore DJ Lawson (College of the Sequoias XC MVP in 2017), Munir Kabbara (former Lebanese national record-holder in the 1500m in the 16-17 age group), and freshman Artin Allahverdian (two-time all-league first team pick at Crescenta Valley High School).
Similarly on the women's side, UCLA will send a group of three returners and three newcomers. Returners include sophomore Paige Carter (pair of 36th-place finishes last year), redshirt sophomore Grace McAuley (finished 38th at the George Kyte Classic in her lone competition last year), and redshirt sophomore Lilly Schmidt (31st-place finish at 2017's George Kyte Classic).
The newcomers set to compete include freshman Annabelle Werner (two-time all-league first team at Vista Murrieta High School), freshman Alyssa Bautista (two-time First Team All-Orange County selection), and freshman Sophie Scott (Kansas State Champion in the 800m last year).
Players Mentioned
