11 Bears Break Personal Bests

CONCORD — The California women's cross country team secured second place at the Saint Mary's Invitational at Newhall Park on Friday morning, while the men's squad finished third as a team. Eleven Golden Bears recorded personal records, with 10 finishing in the top 30.

Sophie Tau led the way for the women's team for the second consecutive meet, finishing second with a personal-record time of 20:14.5. Sabine Kim and Fiona McGrath also recorded personal bests with top-10 finishes, placing fifth (20:44.5) and ninth (20:52.0), respectively. Zoe Lahanas broke her personal record with a time of 21:27.1 to finish 26th, while Ava Kopec followed closely behind in 27th with a personal-record time of 21:27.3.

Other Bears who recorded personal bests included Sophia Grant (21:44.8) and Chloe Leduc (22:20.5).

Freshman Hayden Beauchemin led the way for the men, landing in the top 10 with a ninth-place finish and a personal-record time of 23:33.9. Zac Gibson was not far behind, placing 13th with a personal best of 23:40.4.

Kyle McNatt and Alex Lodewick crossed the line within a second of one another, finishing 22nd and 24th, respectively. Both Bears recorded personal bests, with McNatt finishing in 23:53.4 and Lodewick in 23:54.4.

Sam Franco rounded out the Bears' five top-30 finishers, placing 27th with a personal-record time of 23:58.3.

"St. Mary's was another step in the right direction," said associate head cross country coach Ryan Hill. "I don't think we're at our best yet, but if everyone continues to believe in our process, we'll be at our best when it matters most at the end of the season."

The Bears return to action on Oct. 9 at the annual Bill Dellinger Invitational in Eugene, Oregon.

CAL RESULTS
Men's 8k
9. Hayden Beauchemin - 23:33.9

13. Zac Gibson - 23:40.4

22. Kyle McNatt - 23:53.4

24. Alex Lodewick - 23:54.4

27. Sam Franco - 23:58.3

62. Gabriel Rodriguez - 24:45.7

73. Julian Doak - 24:53.7

106. Bradley Arrey - 25:48.9

Women's 6k
2. Sophie Tau - 20:14.5

5. Sabine Kim - 20:44.5

9. Fiona McGrath - 20:52.0