Bronco Invitational Live Stats
Parking: Park only in designated spots. It's $6 per car and $20 for a bus to park at Baylands Park.
Santa Clara's cross country teams host the Bronco Invitational on Sat., Oct. 13 at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale, Calif. The day kicks off with a fun run, Jog for Jill, at 8 a.m. The women's 5K Open will start on the gun at 9 am. The women's 5K Invitational will follow at 9:45 am. The men's 8K Invitational will be run at 10:30 am with the men's 8K Open closing out the day at 11:15 am.
Baylands Park is a great spectator's race because it's a loop course so fans can see the athletes at least once or twice every mile. It's also features a common start-finish area and the weather is expected to be ideal at race time.
The Bronco Invitational grows each year and this year is no different in regards to the outstanding competition. The Bronco Invitational will include runners from Stanford, Colorado, UCLA, Cal, Fresno State, Idaho State, Sacramento State; and West Coast Conference teams host-Santa Clara, Saint Mary's, San Diego and USF.
"It's a competitive field again and it seems to grow each year," said Bronco head coach Felipe Montoro. "The timing of the Bronco Invitational is right for this type of meet in the Bay Area. It's two weeks before conference so teams are looking to run on a faster course. The conditions in the Bay Area are ideal for distance running this time of the year as well."
Bronco assistant coach Pete Cushman feels it's been a very good year overall for the women. "We are looking forward to them translating their outstanding season of workouts to a race," said Cushman.
Montoro echoed Cushman's sentiments. "We would like to see them run a little more aggressive," added Montoro. "It's the last opportunity for them to prepare for our championship season so we want them to make the most of this opportunity."
Montoro sees the women as very healthy right now, especially at this time in the season. Cushman pointed to senior Mary Reynolds as someone on the women's side who looks ready for the weekend. "She is ready to have a break-though," said Cushman.
"The strength with the women isn't just one person, it's the group collectively. They are in a good place," said Montoro.
The men are little banged up with Ben Demaree on the sidelines with an injury and Kevin Oliver being day to day. "This will really be an opportunity for the guys who haven't continued in the past to do well," said Montoro. "A lot of guys are fit and talented, but we haven't put together a great team race. We will need to do that for sure without Ben and possibly without Kevin in the line-up this weekend."
