SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Vanguard men's cross country competed in a loaded field featuring 12 NCAA Division I programs at Baylands Park, and four runners set personal bests to highlight the Bronco Invitational on Saturday morning.
Juniors Anthony Kennen and Cooper Anderson, sophomore Ommar Arroyo and freshman Caleb Dickerson all posted PR's in the 8K as the Lions finished in 16th place as a team, one spot ahead of Fresno State.
Senior Evan Hernandez led the Lions for the fourth consecutive race with the team's top placement, clocking 25:16.5 for 43rd overall.
Kennen chopped off nearly 11 seconds on his 8K PR – the second Lion finisher and 92nd overall – running the course in 26:08.7. Crossing the line right behind Kennen was Anderson, who posted a time of 26:09.4. That eclipsed his previous best effort of 26:19.1, set on September 13 at the Biola Invitational, by almost 10 seconds.
The third Blue and Gold runner to establish a PR was Arroyo. He finished in 95th place with a time of 26:11.9 and trimmed 27 seconds off his previous fastest top effort.
Sophomore Jesse O'Campo came in 101st place in 26:24.8, while Dickerson was 114th in 26 minutes, 47.4 seconds. Dickerson lowered his PR by 26 seconds.
Rounding out the Lion competitors was Josiah Kirby, who finished in 29:06.8.
What Was Said?: "Our men's team had their best race of the season," said Head Coach Bryan Wilkins. "I'm super proud of them and this race sets them up well going into conference next week. We're thankful for this opportunity."
What's Next?: Vanguard participates in its first PacWest Conference championship on Saturday, October 26 at 9:00 a.m. The host site is the OC Great Park, where the Lions competed on September 6 as part of the Irvine Invitational.
