Bruins Earn Pair of Team Victories at Mammoth Tri-Meet

Mammoth Lakes, Calif. – UCLA Cross Country opened its 2021 campaign with a pair of team victories in the tri-meet against UC San Diego and UC Riverside at the Whitmore Track and Sports Field. Sophomore Carlie Dorostkar picked up the victory in the women's 4k while Ronan McMahon-Staggs led a strong front group of Bruins to sweep the men's 5k.
 
The Bruin women placed all five of their scoring runners in the top seven of the race. It was an impressive UCLA debut for Dorostkar, who pulled away from the field and crossed the line with a winning time of 15:39. Senior Gwyn George followed closely in second at 15:47 while freshman Mia Kane was UCLA's third runner at 15:57, crossing in fifth place overall. Sophie Scott (16:03) and Claire Selleck (16:06) went 6-7, respectively, to round out the Bruins' scoring lineup.
 
Sophia Hoelzel finished eighth overall just behind Selleck, posting a time of 16:07. Alyssa Bautista (16:13.5), Lavanya Pandey (16:13.7), Anna Weirich (16:14), and Siena Palicke (16:20) went 11-12-13-14 on the day, and Ashley Johnson finished 18th with a time of 16:36 to complete UCLA's performances.
 
The Bruin men executed strong pack running and secured the first six finishing positions. McMahon-Staggs was first across the line at 17:02.39, improving upon his second-place finish in UCLA's season-opener last season. Ewan Macfarlane was second overall in his freshman debut with the team, crossing with a time of 17:02.64. Senior Darius Riley (17:02.89) and freshman Mateo Bianchi (17:03.11) finished 3-4, respectively. Senior Munir Kabbara was UCLA's final scorer with a fifth-place finish and a time of 17:03.56.
 
Andrew Martinez made his collegiate cross country debut and finished sixth overall with a time of 17:03.56. William Frankenfeld (17:16) and Patrick Curulla (17:19) finished ninth and 10th overall, respectively. Jett Charvet was 29th with a time of 18:06 and Keaton Heisterman rounded out the Bruins' lineup in 32nd place (18:35).
 
Wednesday's performance marked the third-consecutive season the UCLA men notched a sweep in the team's season-opener. The Bruins went 1-5 at the Arizona Invitational last season (Feb. 5, 2021) and secured the first 10 positions in the team's dual meet against UC Riverside on Aug. 31, 2019.
 
Women's 4k – Team 1st (21 points)
1. Carlie Dorostkar – 15:39
2. Gwyn George – 15:47
5. Mia Kane – 15:57
6. Sophie Scott – 16:03
7. Claire Selleck – 16:06
8. Sophia Hoelzel – 16:07
11. Alyssa Bautista – 16:13.5
12. Lavanya Pandey – 16:13.7
13. Anna Weirich – 16:14
18. Ashley Johnson – 16:36
 
Men's 5k – Team 1st (15 points)
1. Ronan McMahon-Staggs – 17:02.39
2. Ewan Macfarlane – 17:02.64
3. Darius Riley – 17:02.89
4. Mateo Bianchi – 17:03.11
5. Munir Kabbara – 17:03.31
6. Andrew Martinez – 17:03.56
8. Mason Ratkovich – 17:07.18
9. William Frankenfeld – 17:16
10. Patrick Curulla – 17:19
29. Jett Charvet – 18:06
32. Keaton Heisterman – 18:35
 
Next Meet
UCLA Cross Country is back in action on Thursday, Sept. 23 at the Dellinger Invite in Eugene, Ore. The Bruins return to Eugene for the first time since competing at Dellinger during the 2019 season.