RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The Vanguard cross country teams returned to action on Saturday as VU participated in the UC Riverside Highlander Invitational. The women's team finished 18th out of the 23 teams, while the men's side was 19th out of 26 teams.
Evan Hernandez was the top runner on the men's side with a time of 24:50.2 in 50th and
Kate Baranski was the leader on the women's team with a mark of 22 minutes even in 68th, setting a personal best in the process.
What Happened? The men were the first to hit the course and the Blue and Gold collected 549 points and a total team time of 2:12:56. Behind Hernandez was
Anthony Kennen, who posted a 26:38.1 to finish 174th out of the 287 runners, setting a new career-low.
Cooper Anderson also set a personal best with a 26:43.5 to place 183rd.
Jesse O'Campo placed 213th and ended with a time of 27:21.5, with teammate
Ommar Arroyo right behind with a 27:21.8 to place 214th.
Josiah Kirby made his debut performance for VU and set career personal best with a time of 29:45.2, finishing in 275th.
Payton Kubalsky was 280th with a 30:08.6 time.
The women netted 544 points and a total time of 1:59.17.
Sara Feitz was 86th out of 256 participants and put down a time of 22:18.3, a season-best.
India Moors was next up for the Lions with a 24:46.3 in 196th.
Vanessa Flores was 202nd but set a personal best with a time of 24:57.6.
Rebekah Pinedo also set a personal best on Saturday with a time of 25:14.6 and placed 212th.
Marisa Cole set a season-best with a mark of 25:25.3 and placed 215th.
Isabella Nelson's 26:03.9 was a career-low time and she came in 229th at the end of the race.
Why is it Important? Baranski is now second all-time for VU women's 6K times and Feitz set the fourth-fastest time.
What was Said? "We had a pretty solid day," said Head Coach
Bryan Wilkins. "We weren't at full strength but those in uniform raced with great effort and I'm proud of both our teams and what we accomplished today.
What's Next? Only one more meet remains for the Blue and Gold before the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships, as VU will take part in the Titan Invitational on Friday, October 20th, at 4:45 p.m.
