Coming off a successful 2008 seasons the UCSD cross country team jumped back into action earlier this month to start the new campaign. Last year, the Tritons came close to seizing both conference crowns, but the men’s and women’s teams both found themselves beat out by Chico State. This season, the Tritons are hoping for better results.
‘Both teams have a goal of remaining in the top three teams of the conference,’ head coach Nate Garcia said. ‘Last season, the men placed second in conference and the women placed third. At the very least, we want to hold our position. Each year is a little bit different, but we want to stay in the top three and work from there.’
Leading off the new season at home, the Tritons swept the UCSD Opener on Aug. 29. On the women’s side, sophomore Bre Schofield continued last year’s trend by winning her first race of the year, this time beating out all competition in the 2.5-mile race.
The Triton women recorded faster times than their opponents from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego Christian College, Sonoma State University and Cerritos College for the win.
Although the UCSD men did not field the top individual winner, the Triton harriers took five of the top six spots, with freshman Brian Knight leading the way. Knight’s time of 22:52.7 was just three seconds behind first-place Jason Zapien from Cerritos College, and the Triton team’s efforts were enough to earn the overall victory.
‘So far, Brian’s done a real nice job,’ Garcia said. ‘I think he’s really well prepared so far.’
Following the season opener, the Tritons traveled to Irvine to compete in the Asics/UC Irvine Invitational on Sept. 12. Senior Mike Wright led the Tritons to a sixth-place finish out of 21 teams on the men’s side, finishing 32nd individually with a time of 26:09.0. Schofield led the women to the eighth spot with her fifth-place individual finish at 17:45.0.
‘She’s definitely much more comfortable with the sport,’ Garcia said. ‘Last year was her first year running cross country, and she is ahead of where she was last year at this time. We’re really excited about the rest of the season.’
Schofield was named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Female Runner of the Week on Sept. 14. In her freshman campaign last season, Schofield finished 22nd in harsh conditions at the NCAA Division II National Championships, and was named an All-American.
The start of this season also marks the return of senior Dan Anderson, who missed all but the first few races of the team’s 2008 campaign due to injury. Anderson finished 19th out of a field of 37 runners in Irvine, competing in his second race in almost a year.
The Tritons can only hope that having a healthy Anderson will catalyze the team.
UCSD looks to continue its successful sprint out of the gate at the Southern Indiana Pre-National Invitational on Sept. 26 in Evansville, Ind. against teams from all over the country.
‘We’ve had a real good start to the season,’ Garcia said. ‘We’re pleased with where we’re at and we have great returning talent as well as freshmen.
Readers can contact Janani Sridharan at [email protected].