UCSB and Cal Poly engaged in a closely fought season-opening cross country meet on Saturday, with the Gauchos winning in the men’s race and the Mustangs eking out a victory on the women’s side.
Juan Paredes paced the UCSB men to a 24-31 victory. He was the first collegiate finisher in the Lagoon Open 8-kilometer race, finishing in 24:42.81. The overall winner was former Gaucho Scott Smith in 24:36 with Mike Chavez in second in 24:41.28. Cal Poly’s Carl Dargitz was second in the collegiate race and fourth overall in 24:46.56.
Gaucho Jeremy Acosta (25:04.56) and Mustang Michael Johnson (25:13.22) were third and fourth, respectively. Santa Barbara runners also finished fifth, seventh and eighth for the win.
The Cal Poly men have been picked to win the Big West title.
The league-favorite Gaucho women were edged 27-30.
Cal Poly’s Kayleigh Tyerman set a course record in the 5k run at 17:07.28. UCSB’s Amanda Moreno, who finished second, also broke the previous course record with a time of 17:16.91. Mustang runners Kelly Barmann (17:52.00) and Vanessa Hancock (18:00.38) were third and fifth respectively. Andrea Jacobs (17:58.82) and Crystal Reed (18:01.72) were fourth and sixth for the Gauchos.
Cal Poly’s Leann Fogg finished seventh at 18:03.63, while Santa Barbara’s Breanne Strenkowski (18:08.35) and Ashley Beechan (18:11.94) were eighth and ninth.
Both the UCSB men’s and women’s teams are off until Saturday, Sept. 18 when they travel to the Riverside Invitational.
