Bruin XC Sweeps Team Titles at Dave Murray Invitational

Men's Results | Women's Results

Tucson, Ariz. – UCLA Cross Country competed at the Dave Murray Invitational on Friday morning, coming away with team victories on the men's and women's sides for the second-straight meet to open the 2021 campaign. Both squads knocked off several Pac-12 foes en route to team titles.
 
The UCLA men used a strong front-running contingent to lead much of the race and place five runners in the top 10, scoring 34 points for the victory. The women's squad battled in the final stretch of the race to make up ground, securing a comeback one-point win with 59 points overall.
 
The men's 8k kicked off the day on the Rolling Hills Golf Course, with redshirt freshman Peter Herold leading UCLA's scoring group with a fourth-place finish (24:42.3). Junior Darius Riley was the Bruins' second runner on the day, crossing in fifth place with a time of 24:44.3. Freshmen Michael Mireles (24:50.3) and Anthony Stone (24:54.3) went 7-8, respectively, while junior Munir Kabbara rounded out UCLA's scoring five in 10th place (25:15.0).
 
Freshman Jake Parker (25:32.0) and senior Chris Weiland (25:30.2) had strong showings in 12th and 13th place, respectively. Redshirt freshman Marcus Mota notched a 17th-place finish and a time of 25:49.2 in his first race donning the four letters. Freshman Dylan Wilbur (26:39.6) and redshirt freshman Mason Ratkovich (27:27.8) finished 25th and 32nd, respectively, to wrap the Bruins' racing lineup.
 
The UCLA women notched a victory in the 6k in dramatic fashion, securing a one-point win after trailing in the team standings at the second split. Sophomore Emma Tavella paced the Bruin women for the second-straight meet, taking third place with a time of 21:43.5. UCLA's 2-5 runners proved critical to the team victory, as the foursome combined to move up over 10 spots after the final split. Senior Paige Carter and junior Gwyn George went 12-13, crossing with times of 22:24.0 and 22:29.2, respectively. Senior Kira Loren (22:30.6) and junior Sophie Scott (22:30.8) followed closely in 15th and 16th place, respectively, to complete the scoring five.
 
Freshmen Savannah Scriven (22:34.8) and Ashley Johnson (22:52.3) notched 17th and 21st place, respectively, in their second races as Bruins. Anne Werner (23:16.3) and Claire Selleck (23:20.4) went 29-30, while Sophia Hoelzel took 37th with a time of 24:37.8.
 
Men's 8k – Team Results
UCLA – 34 points
California – 55 points
Arizona – 75 points
Arizona State – 81 points
New Mexico State – 119 points
 
Women's 6k – Team Results
UCLA – 59 points
Arizona – 60 points
California – 70 points
Arizona State – 72 points
New Mexico State – 88 points
 
Next Meet
The Bruins open their postseason schedule at the Pac-12 Championships on Friday, Mar. 5. The meet will be held at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place, Wash. Pac-12 Network is set to broadcast the live action.