SAN DIEGO — San Diego men's and women's cross country opened up the 2025 season at home at River Park as the women's underclassmen highlighted the day.
The USD men's side finished third with 84 points and the women's side fourth with 93 in their respective fields on a hot day at the Aztec Coastal Classic, just outside of Snapdragon Stadium Friday afternoon.
"I feel very good about the day We have things to work out, and we'll work those out," Toreros Head Coach Will Guarino said. "We'll progress as well as a team along the journey but for them to be out here, developing their endurance and getting stronger, is really a testament to the culture of that we're trying to build."
It was the young Toreros who made the biggest impression in the Aztec Coastal Classic at Mission Valley River Park as in the women's race four of the five USD scorers were debutants.
The quartet of newcomers powered the women's side, securing four of the team's top five finishes. Leading the charge in the 5K, freshman Sydney Tackett placed 14th overall with a time of 18:47 in her collegiate debut.
"I'm proud of the freshman that ran number one for us today," said Guarino of Tackett. "She's been a dog from the very get-go. A dog is just an elite runner, as you well know."
Tackett was followed closely by sophomore Quinn Nelson who finished 17th in 18:58 in her first collegiate race, too.
"I'm so proud of her," Guarino said of Nelson. "She really had a hard year last year, because she was injured. She was our incoming, say, strong runner. We never got to see that. We got to see it today. We had to wait a year for that investment to pay out, but it was her heart and determination and for her not giving up."
Freshman Brooklyn Hom swiftly finished right behind in 18th (19:03), with lone varsity returner, junior Rebecca Bronstein, completing a trifecta of consecutive finishes in 19th (19:05). Rounding out the scoring group was freshman Clare Boneau with a 25th-place effort in 19:30.
On the men's side, senior Jake Coleman led the Toreros in the unconventional 7K, finishing a team-high 14th overall in 23:16. Freshman Maxwell Gibbons kept the strong rookie trend alive, placing 16th in 24:04.
"Jake carried the line.," said Guarino. "He saw what I saw, as he held back, and then actually moved when he was supposed to go."
"I feel very good about the day and now it gives us an opportunity to sit back for three weeks and just focus on training and correcting some of the elements and getting better. But again, we're just really excited that the season is underway; it's now go-time."
Up next, San Diego will train for a trip to Santa Clarita, Calif. for the Master's Invitational in three weeks' time on Saturday, Sept. 20.
SCORING RESULTS
Women (5K)
Sydney Tackett - 14th - 18:47
Quinn Nelson - 17th - 18:58
Brooklyn Hom - 18th - 19:03
Rebecca Bronstein - 19th - 19:05
Clare Boneau - 25th - 19:30
Men (7K)
Walter Coleman - 14th - 23:16
Maxwell Gibbons - 16th - 24:04
Michael Ivory - 17th - 24:45
Jack DeVries - 18th - 25:38
Sean O'Keefe - 19th - 26:44
