MALIBU, Calif. – UC Santa Barbara Men's and Women's Cross Country teams hit the ground running in a victorious season opener. At the Big Wave Invitational hosted by Pepperdine, the Gauchos competed against various universities in the men's 6K and women's 4K races. 

FROM ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH PATTISUE PLUMER
"Very happy with our opening race," said Plumer. "Both teams had great races and I am excited about our future. Our men trained hard over the summer and it showed. With less than a week of practice they looked ready to compete. Really happy for Zach Parker and his victory. Our women knocked it out of the park, especially to see the freshmen step up. This bodes well for the rest of the cross country season!"

HOW IT HAPPENED
For the men, senior Zachary Parker led the way to victory for the Gauchos taking juniors Parker Simmons and Manny Correia with him for top-10 finishes. Zachary Parker secured his victory with a first place finish in a time of 17:44.6, sparking a strong showing from the men's team. Parker Simmons placed fourth in the race with a time of 18:12.4, Manny Correia following close behind in fifth, timing in at 18:29.9. Conrad Voigt, Parker Herbert, and Camden Luecht were the next three Gauchos to cross the finish line with the times of 18:52.3, 18:55.1, and 19:03.6 respectively. Sam Vellutini clocked in at 19:04.7, followed by Matthew Galindo at 19:20.4 and David Winston with a time of 19:25.2. With six Gauchos finishing in the top 20, UCSB secured a dominant 40-point team victory – a strong statement to open the season.

In the women's 4K, the Gauchos carried on the momentum from the men's race, securing another team victory. Three of the top seven Gauchos were freshmen, with Adeline Oversmith securing a second place finish in a time of 13:23.0, Isabel Ross following closely behind in third at 13:41.2. Danielle Hollander and Lindsey Reed finished in the top ten, clocking in 13:53.7 and  14:14.0 respectively. The next three Gauchos to finish were Lexi Darley at 14:15.5, Axelle Allanic with a  14:20.6, and Kiera Sorenson running a 14:22.6. Following closely behind were Sierra Gill, Alexa Bryson, and Ryann Strawn, timing in at 14:22.9, 14:40.7, and  14:42.7 respectively. The top seven Gauchos powered a 32 point win establishing early momentum for the 2025 season.

In the next three weeks, Santa Barbara will build off these victories and host a home meet with the Gaucho Twilight on Friday, Sept. 19th.  If the opening meet is any indication, Santa Barbara is just getting started as the Gauchos are poised for a strong and promising season ahead.

MEN'S RESULT (66 finishers) 
1 - Zachary Parker - 17:44.6
4 - Parker Simmons - 18:12.4
5 - Manny Correia - 18:29.9
14 - Conrad Voigt - 18:52.3
16 - Parker Herbert - 18:55.1
19 - Camden Luecht - 19:03.6
21 - Sam Vellutini - 19:04.7
24 - Matthew Galindo - 19:20.4
27 - David Winston - 19:25.2

UC Santa Barbara Placed 1 out of 6 teams

WOMEN'S RESULT (69 finishers)
2 - Adeline Oversmith - 13:23.0
3 - Isabel Ross - 13:41.2
6 - Danielle Hollander - 13:53.7
10 - Lindsey Reed - 14:14.0
11 - Lexi Darley - 14:15.5
14 - Axelle Allanic -14:20.6
15 - Kiera Sorenson - 14:22.6
16 - Sierra Gill - 14:22.9
23 - Alexa Bryson - 14:40.7
24 - Ryann Strawn - 14:42.7
27 - Jana Barron - 14:45.2
31 - Yasmin Ghaneh - 14:53.0
38 - Ava Maier - 15:10.7
48 - Addison Paladino - 15:47.2

UC Santa Barbara Placed 1 out of 7 teams