Cal Poly junior Philip Reid (Oxnard, CA/Rio Mesa) and UC Riverside sophomore Cristina Olivas (Bloomington, CA/Bloomington) have been named the Men’s and Women’s Athlete of the Week, respectively, for their efforts during the opening weekend of action.
Reid, who missed all of last season due to injury, was the overall winner at the UCSB Invitational after running the 8K course in 24:54. He led a contigent of seven Mustang runners that finished in the top 10.
Olivas garnered the women's honor after leading the Highlander runners at their season-opening dual meet against UCLA. The sophomore finished second overall on the 4K course with a time of 14:02. She averaged a 5:39 mile and her mark set a school 4K record.
UCI Invitational Highlights Weekend Meet Schedule
Five Big West cross country squads continue their early season schedules with meets this weekend. Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara all head to Huntingdon Beach to compete against UC Irvine and a host of others at the UCI Invitational.
The race will have 220 participants for the women’s 5,000-meter run and 210 entries for the men's 5-mile jaunt. Pacific will also be in action this weekend as the Tigers make the trip to Davis to participate in the Aggie Open against UC Davis and a host of other schools.
Last weekend saw the 2006 Big West cross country kick off with a flurry of meets. UC Riverside started the action with a dual against UCLA, but could not come away with a win against the Bruins as the men fell, 25-30, and the women lost, 23-35.
Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State competed in the Fullerton Season Opener last week to different results. The Titan squads both finished fourth as Jordan Horn (25:36) led the men with a fifth place finish, while Luz Valdez finished 10th for the women with a time of 18:55 on the 5K course. The 49er men's contingent finished 12th as Hudson Wilvers finishd the course in 27:00.8, good for a 33rd place finish. The women's team had four runner at the event, led by Missy Barclay's 50th place showing (19:49.8).
Pacific opened up the 2006 season with a sixth place finish at the USF Invitational. Micaela Klaus led the Tigers with a 33rd place finish in 19:32.20 on the 5K course.