RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women's and Men's Cross Country teams competed at the Big West Championships hosted by UC Riverside, where they looked to qualify for NCAA West Regionals in Colfax, Wash. The women raced on a 6K course while the men took part in an 8K on the Agriculture Operations Cross Country Course, followed by an awards ceremony.
In the men's race, the Gauchos were led by sophomore Parker Simmons who posted a time of 24:14.3 in a 15th place finish. Junior Zachary Parker was the second Gaucho to complete the race, timing in at 24:37.3. The next two athletes to cross were Jake Ratkovich and Parker Stickney, who both pushed each other to personal bests of 24:56.8 and 24:58.2, respectively. Seconds behind were the next three Gauchos in Manny Correia, Gus Marshall, and Parker Herbert, each finishing in the top 50.
"While we were aiming for overall higher team placements, I was very pleased with the effort of our athletes, many of whom were dealing with injuries and illness," explained associate head coach PattiSue Plumer. "We had some outstanding individual performances, notably our top finisher Parker Simmons, Parker Stickney who was the second fastest true freshman in the race, and Jake Ratkovich who ran the best race of his career."
For the women's 6K, Santa Barbara saw junior Ava Maier place 26th and finish just tenths of a second away from a sub 21-minute performance. Lindsey Reed filled the second spot for the Gauchos, timing in at 21:12.8, while Sophia Gutierrez posted yet another personal best on the season with a time of 21:25.1. The next four Gauchos crossed the finish line as a pack and did not let any opposing runners split them up. Jana Barron, Ryann Strawn, Lexi Darley, and Leah Mendibles made up four through seven for the Gauchos, with Strawn posting the final personal best on the day for UC Santa Barbara, finishing with 21:55.1.
"The women also had several athletes dealing with illness and injuries," said PattiSue Plumer. "Despite this, they had several strong performances. Ava had her best race of the year, running a season best by a 24 second margin. Ryann Strawn ran very well, PRing in her second-ever 6K and I am super proud of our senior Sophia for getting her second PR of the season."
Over the next 13 days, the Gauchos will be in preparation for NCAA West Regionals in Colfax, Wash. on Nov. 15. The women will compete on a 6K course while the men compete in their first 10K of the year in hopes of qualifying to the NCAA Cross Country National Championships a week later in Madison. Wis.
MEN'S RESULTS (84 finishers)
15 - Parker Simmons - 24:14.3
27 - Zachary Parker - 24:37.3
41 - Jake Ratkovich - 24:56.8 (PR)
43 - Parker Stickney - 24:58.2 (PR)
44 - Manny Correia - 25:02.4
46 - Gus Marshall - 25:04.1
48 - Parker Herbert - 25:07.3
62 - Aakersh Mathur - 25:25.3
74 - Hayden Owen - 25:52.9
79 - Kellen Kirby - 26:19.0
UC Santa Barbara placed 7th of 9 teams
WOMEN'S RESULTS (99 finishers)
26 - Ava Maier - 21:00.4
38 - Lindsey Reed - 21:12.8
44 - Sophia Gutierrez - 21:25.1 (PR)
60 - Jana Barron - 21:55.0
61 - Ryann Strawn - 21:55.1 (PR)
62 - Lexi Darley - 21:56.6
63 - Leah Mendibles - 21:58.5
66 - Maya Lacamp - 22:02.9
83 - Claire Babbitt - 22:45.7
86 - Alexa Bryson - 23:03.8
UC Santa Barbara placed 8th of 11 teams
