UCSB Lagoon Open • University Center (Goleta, CA)
Cal Poly Cross Country Opens 2017 Season with Sweep at UCSB
9/2/2017 12:00:00 AM | Cross Country
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Paced by performances from the men's individual champion, Swarnjit Boyal, and the women's runner-up, Miranda Daschian, the Cal Poly cross country program began its 2017 season Saturday with a Blue-Green Rivalry sweep of UC Santa Barbara at the annual Lagoon Open.
Starting with the women's 5k (beginning behind the UCen student union), Cal Poly topped the Gauchos 22-37, before the men followed with a 17-44 win in the 8k.
UCSB senior Jenna Hinkle won on her home terrain with a time of 17:41.74, ahead of Daschian (last fall's CCCAA state champion at Cuesta College) in 17:58.92 for her Mustang debut.
Julia Vasquez was next for Cal Poly, finishing third at 18:08.35. Meanwhile freshman Sierra Brill (fourth in her first collegiate meet, at 18:15.26), along with juniors Maddie McDonald (sixth, 18:37.12) and Hannah Hull (seventh, 18:37.90), completed the scoring for the Mustangs.
Five more true freshmen occupied Cal Poly's next five spots: Brigette Takeuchi (ninth, 18:47.75); Angela DiPentino (10th, 18:50.29); Annie Meeder (12th, 18:55.14); Kelsey Takeuchi (13th, 18:55.34); and Abbey Fisk (14th, 18:55.91).
Also representing Cal Poly — ranked 11th in the West Region in the USTFCCCA Preseason Poll (Aug. 28) — were Bryanna Fuller (19:00.38), Delaney Fitzsimmons (19:16.31), Melodie Leroudier (19:19.94), Megan Melnyk (19:49.70), Ashley Heys (19:54.93), Rachel Bordes (19:56.13), Ashley Davis (20:28.56) and Michaela Barros (21:22.53).
Sapna Dholakia also posted a time of 20:32.99 while running unattached.
In the ensuing men's event, Boyal — the runner-up at the 2016 Big West Conference Championships — won in 25:06.00.
Teammates followed him in the next two spots, as the 2016 Big West Freshman of the Year, Justin Robison, came in second at 25:21.80, while another leader from last season's conference championship squad, senior Alex Heuchert, took third at 25:25.70.
Garrett Migliozzi (sixth in 25:54.60) and Alex Merder (12th, 26:09.20) accounted for the remainder of Cal Poly's scoring.
Devon Grove (26:14.10), Robert Franklin (26:15.20), Peter Cotsirilos (26:17.10), Zachary Wims (26:23.10), Sean McDermott (26:25.30), Evan Jameson (26:27.70) and Logan Marshall (27:43.90) also raced for Cal Poly, ranked No. 8 regionally in the preseason.
Five first-year Mustangs competed unattached (retaining the potential to redshirt) at the dual: Jake Ritter (25:27.20), Ethan Comeaux (25:58.70), Ethan Duffy (26:26.70), Caleb Llorin (26:46.20) and Cameron Botten (27:27.90).
More Mustangs will return to the course as the early season progresses, continuing with the Fresno State Invitational at Woodward Park on Sept. 9.
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