California cross country will begin its second season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference on Friday at the USF Invitational in San Francisco. The Golden Bears will travel across the Bay Bridge to Hellman Hollow at Golden Gate Park. The women open the 6,000-meter competition at 2 p.m. PT, followed by the men's 8,000-meter race at 3 p.m. PT. 

This is the 32nd anniversary of the race, with Cal participating in the event for more than two decades. Historically, the Cal men have taken seven titles and the women have claimed six titles at the USF Invitational. 

Last year, the men took third place overall, and the women finished in fourth. 

For the men's team, alumnus Carrick Denker took the 2024 men's title, trailed by fellow alum Garrett MacQuiddy. This was the Cal men's first 1-2 finish since the 2016 season. In total, three Bears finished in the top 25, with Alex Lodewick running a 24:59.6 to cross the line in 18th place. 

On the women's side, four Bears finished in the top 40, with Addie Johnson as the top finisher in eighth place. In 12th place, Sophie Tau finished with a time of 21:38.3. Sarah Perkins and Sabine Kim rallied for, respectively, 22nd- and 38th-place individual finishes. 

Following the USF Invitational, Cal next competes in the Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational in Stanislaus on Sept. 13. 

STAY POSTED

For complete coverage of Cal cross country, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalTFXC), Instagram (@caltfxc) and Facebook (/CalTFXC/)