SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Oct. 25, 2023) – The Big West Cross Country Championships have finally arrived, and UC Santa Barbara Cross Country is prepped and ready to run. After five successful meets, the Gauchos are eager to take to the course for one final run and test their strength against their fellow Big West competitors. 

DETAILS 
Race 1: Men's 8k 8:30 a.m.
Race 2: Women's 6k 9:15 a.m.
Location: Blacklake Golf Resort, Nipomo, Calif.
Weather: Low 50's, with a moderate breeze
How to Watch: Tune in with Finished Results and ESPN+

PARTICIPANTS
The event will be hosted by Cal Poly, and UC Santa Barbara will race against nine other Big West teams – Cal Poly, Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Hawai'i, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UC Riverside.  

LAST MEET
The Gauchos competed at the John Elders Titan Invite on Oct. 20, where the men finished fifth and the women finished fourth. Freshman Leah Mendibles broke her personal record by 34 seconds with her personal best in the 5k of 18:15.1 and won herself a place on the UC Santa Barbara championship team. Freshman Luca Romero also earned himself a spot on the championship team, performing his personal best by 29 seconds for a time of 25:10.0.

UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara track season will start next spring, with many Cross Country athletes set to compete and the schedule to release soon.