Senior Chris Frias and sophomore Laura Hollander of Cal Poly earned Big West Men's and Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors for their performances at the Lagoon Open.

Frias Finishes Second To Lead Mustangs In Dual Meet

Cal Poly senior Chris Frias (Ventura, Calif./Buena HS) finished second overall and led his team to a dual meet victory against rival UC Santa Barbara for Big West Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors.

Frias paced the Mustangs on the 8K course with a time of 24:25.70 to help his squad win the Lagoon Open, narrowly defeating the Gauchos by a 26-29 score. 

Others nominated:  Gilbert Solorza (Cal State Fullerton)


Hollander Breaks Course Record At Lagoon Open

Cal Poly sophomore Laura Hollander (Huntington Beach, Calif./Marina HS) continued her domination of the competition with a Big West Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week performance in the opening meet of the 2013 season.

A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., Hollander blazed the 5K course in a time of 16:36.00.  The effort broke the course record that she previously set in 16:42.12 last year.

Hollander, who garnered All-American honors as a freshman after finishing ninth at the NCAA meet, dominated the field and helped the Mustangs win a tight dual meet battle against UC Santa Barbara.  Cal Poly edged the Gauchos, 27-28.  Hollander outdistanced her closest competitor, UCSB's Dani Moreno, by nearly a minute (17:25.50).

For her efforts, Hollander also received national recognition as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) National Female Athlete of the Week.

Others nominated:  Lauren McIntyre (Cal State Fullerton)