LOMPOC, Calif. (Sept. 3) – The UC Santa Barbara Cross Country teams opened the 2026 season in strong fashion with the second annual Gaucho Twilight, with both squads earning second-place finishes while going toe-to-toe with reigning Big West Champion Cal Poly. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the women's 4K, sophomore Addie Oversmith battled a Mustang-heavy front pack to finish fourth overall in 13:56.4. Ryann Strawn followed in ninth (14:12.4), while Virginia Knight made her Gaucho debut with an 11th-place finish (14:15.4). Sierra Gill (14:22.4) and Alexa Bryson (14:24.3) also cracked the top 20, while Danielle Hollander (14:35.5) and Keira Sorrenson (14:45.7) rounded out Santa Barbara's top seven. The Gauchos totaled 49 points to secure second place overall.

On the men's side, sophomore Will Mulliken led the Gauchos with a fifth-place finish in 18:20.8, with Manny Correia close behind in sixth (18:25.7). Camden Luecht crossed the line in 18:43.0, while freshman Carson Ehman (18:47.1) cracked the top 20 in his collegiate debut. Parker Herbert (19:04.5), Hayden Owen (19:05.1) and freshman Luke Friedl (19:16.7) rounded out the Gauchos' scoring seven, helping Santa Barbara secure second place with 50 points.

UP NEXT
One week later, the Gauchos will compete in the Kim Duyst Invite in Ceres, California on Saturday, Sept. 12. Later in September, the Gauchos will head to Illinois for the Chicago Lakefront hosted by Loyola Chicago on Friday, Sept. 25. 
 

WOMEN'S RESULT (72 FINISHERS)
4 - Addie Oversmith - 13:56.4
9 - Ryann Strawn - 14:12.4
11 - Virginia Knight - 14:15.4
14 - Sierra Gill - 14:22.4
16 - Alexa Bryson - 14:24.3
23 - Danielle Hollander - 14:35.5
30 - Keira Sorrenson - 14:45.7
31 - Olivia Bollenbach - 14:51.9
36 - Emerson McMeeken - 15:00.4
37 - Alana Clarke - 15:03.5
38 - Maggie De la Rionda - 15:06.2
39 - Jana Barron - 15:08.2
44 - Molly Grupe - 15:26.9
56 - Addison Paladino - 16:26.6

UC Santa Barbara placed 2 out of 5 teams 

MEN'S RESULT (67 FINISHERS)
5 - Will Mulliken - 18:20 
6 - Manny Correia - 18:25.7
12 - Camden Luecht - 18:43.0
15 - Carson Ehman - 18:47.1
20 - Parker Herbert - 19:04.5
21 - Hayden Owen - 19:05.1
27 - Luke Friedl - 19:16.7
31 - Parker Stickney - 19:22.4
34 - Nate Osborn - 19:31.5
35 - Matthew Galindo - 19:34.4
42 - Jack Burnett - 19:49.1

UC Santa Barbara placed 2 out of 5 teams – 50 points