UCLA
The Master's University XC Invite
Bruins Stand Out at Stanford, Master's Meets
September 29, 2018 | Cross Country
The UCLA cross country program had a successful showing at a pair of meets on Saturday, as the Bruin women took first place at The Master's University XC Invite in Santa Clarita, Calif. andย both the men's and women's team finished top four at the Stanford Invitational.ย
The Bruin men finished second in the men's 8K at the Stanford Invite, while the women finished fourth in the 6K.
Junior Garrett Reynolds was the Bruins' top scoring individual in the men's 8K, coming in with a fourth-place time of 23:58.7, a collegiate best. Four other Bruins finished in the top-20, including Colin Burke (24:32.9, 12th), George Gleason (24:36.1, 14th), Fresno Invitational winner Chris Morzenti (24:37.3, 15th), and Cole Smith (24:38.8, 16th).
Carter Blunt (24:57.3, 23rd) and Millen Trujillo (25:05.6, 31st) rounded out UCLA's top-seven.
"For the men, we were looking to work in packs as best we could and make it a two-team race with some strong programs in the field," said UCLA assistant coach Devin Elizondo. "We were really encouraged the way we were able to race the way we've been training."
Buoyed by a trio of top-20 finishes, the UCLA women took fourth place in the Stanford 6K.
Sophomore Erika Adler was the Bruins' top runner, crossing the line in 21:13.6 for a ninth-place finish. Christina Rice (21:18.5, 12th) and Claire Markey (21:33.4, 19th) also had strong races as well. UCLA's top-seven was rounded out by Jackie Garner (22:03.1, 37th), Cassandra Durgy (22:12.4, 41st), Kelly Bernd (22:28.0, 52nd), and Taylor Taite (22:56.8, 78th).
"In cross country, you need to be able to get contributions from the bottom part of your scoring group, and we made improvements in that area today," said Elizondo. "We're very encouraged by what we saw."
In Santa Clarita, the Bruins took first place in the women's 5K thanks to six top-20 finishes, and six of the top-seven finishes among Division I runners. It was the second straight year that UCLA finished first at The Master's Invite. Freshman Gwyneth George was UCLA's top finisher, taking second among DI runners with a time of 18:13.3. She was followed in succession by Annabelle Werner (18:14.8), Kennedy Meyer (18:14.9), Kira Loren (18:22.3), Jacquelyn Hill (18:24.9), and Paige Carter (18:30.4).
"This was Gwyneth'sย debut performance in cross country after having only ran track in high school, so for her to finish so high is extremely promising," said Elizondo. "As well as she did, a lot of our racers came in within 20 seconds of her, so that's an encouraging sign for our group."
Arturo Sotomayor (25:08.9) and Tyler Janes (25:20.9) finished 1-2 among Division I runners in the men's 8K. Overall, the duo finished fifth and eighth, respectively.
UCLA is next in action two weeks from now, racing in both the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals and the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational on Oct. 13.
2018 Stanford Invitational
Men's Results โ Team 2nd (53)
1. Robert Brandt (23.46.4) - Unattached
4. Garrett Reynolds (23:58.7)
12. Colin Burke (24:32.9)
14. George Gleason (24:36.1)
15. Chris Morzenti (24:37.3)
16. Cole Smith (24:38.8)
23. Carter Blunt (24:57.3)
31. Millen Trujillo (25:05.6)
33. Andy Ehrenberg (25:07.0)
37. Artin Allahverdian (25:13.8)
44. Munir Kabbara (25:22.4)
Women's Results โ Team 4th (113)
9. Erika Adler (21:13.6)
12. Christina Rice (21:18.5)
19. Claire Markey (21:33.4)
37. Jackie Garner (22:03.1)
41. Cassandra Durgy (22:12.4)
52. Kelly Bernd (22:28.0)
78. Taylor Taite (22:56.8)
83. Lilly Schmidt (23:02.9)
94. Sophie Scott (23:14.8)
96. Alyssa Bautista (23:17.3)
2018 Master's University XC Invitational
Men's Results
5. Arturo Sotomayor (25:08.9)
8. Tyler Janes (25:20.9)
Women's Results
8. Gwyneth George (18:13.3)
10. Annabelle Werner (18:14.8)
11. Kennedy Meyer (18:14.9)
14, Kira Loren (18:22.3)
15. Jacquelyn Hill (18:24.9)
20. Paige Carter (18:30.4)
28. Marisa Villegas (18:43.6)
42. Maddi Moore (19:07.6)
Players Mentioned
