SAN DIEGO – The San Diego men's and women's cross country programs are set to open postseason play, traveling to Portland, Ore., for the WCC Championships on Friday at 10 a.m., at Fernhill Park.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- The WCC Cross Country Championships are back in Portland, Ore., for the first time since 2012, when the women finished seventh and the men took eighth.
- Last season, the women's team finished eighth at the WCC Championships, while the men placed ninth.
- Leading the way for the women this season has been sophomore Madeleine Heller, who has registered the top Toreros time in all four meets this season.
- Since her last race at the WCC Championship, where she ran a 6K time of 23:21.2, Heller has shaved her personal best all the way to 21:35.8, two weeks ago at the Highlander Invite.
- Several other top finishers this season will be running alongside Heller with eyes on setting new personal bests, including classmate Daniella Hubble, 2021 NCAA Championship qualifier Gianna Sbarbaro and redshirt sophomore Aryam Jaimes.
- On the men's side, graduate students Ethan Steiner and Ian Converse have formed a one-two punch at the top of the lineup and will lead the way again this Friday.
- Steiner holds the top mark of all Toreros with an 8K time of 24:49.8 at the UC Riverside Invite.
- Joining them on the course will be several Toreros who have made great strides in 2022, including sophomore Jake Coleman and juniors Russell Gokemeijer and Will Stefanou.
HOW TO FOLLOW
- The men's and women's races will both be streamed via the WCC Network. The women's race will begin at 10 a.m., while the men's race will follow at 11 a.m.
- Live results will also be provided by the West Conference.
To stay up to date with Toreros cross country and track & field, follow the team on Twitter by searching "USDxctrack", or on Instagram by searching "USDxctf."
