Bears Face First National Competition At NCAA Pre-Nationals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Golden Bears faced their first national competition of the season on Friday at the NCAA Pre-Nationals Invite hosted by Florida State. The men's squad took eighth in the 8,000-meter open race against 33 other teams from around the country, while the women's team took 16th-place in the 6,000-meter open race. 

The underclassmen turned in standout performances on the men's side, with three top-50 finishes all claimed by California sophomores. Garrett MacQuiddy paced the men's team, reaching the finish line in a personal best time of 24:41.6 to claim 16th-place. 

Next to cross the line for the men was sophomore Carrick Denker who finished in 41st-place with a time of 25:07.5. Cole Sawires Yager ran the 8,000-meters in 25:16.4, placing 50th and helping the team clinch eighth-place. 

"I thought the men navigated the race well," Cal head coach Bobby Lockhart said. "It was a great learning experience and something we can build off of going into Pac-12's." 

Redshirt senior Mina Anglero returned to competition for the first time since last year's Pac-12 Championships and was the top finisher for the women's squad, crossing the line in 46th-place with a time of 22:07.4. "I'm happy to add Mina back to the lineup," Lockhart said. "She continues to look better each week."

Senior Jessica Nye was next to finish on the women's side, crossing the line in 67th-place (22:30.3). Just behind her in 70th-place was sophomore Piper Wilson, who ran the 6,000-meter race in 22:31.7. 

UP NEXT: 
The Bears travel to Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 29, for the start of championship season at the 2021 Pac-12 Championships. 

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