SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara cross country will look to finalize its roster for the West Coast Conference Championships based on results from the inaugural Banana Slug Invitational Saturday. The Broncos are sending five men's runners and six women's runners to East Field in Santa Cruz, Calif. for the event.
Saturday's races provide an opportunity for Bronco runners to make their case for a spot on the WCC Championship team. The conference meet is one week from Saturday in Spokane Valley, Wash.
"We have a pretty good sense of our top 8 for both genders, but there are still some question marks on the 9th spots," associate head coach Pete Cushman said. "This race is mostly used as an opportunity to narrow that down. The eight we've already selected for WCCs will be off this week to get prepared for our trip to Spokane, but we'll have enough people competing to score a team in both races."
Men's 8k Invitational — 9 a.m.
Wilder Boyden, Matt Burke, Will Burschinger, Andrew Melendez, John O'Hagan
Each of the five Santa Clara men's runners set an 8k personal best mark at last weekend's Bronco Invitational. Burke broke his previous PR by 1:17.7.
"Matt Burke made a huge jump at Bronco, and he's been looking great all fall," Cushman said. "Andrew, Wilder, Will, and John are all underclassmen, but have all shown they have what it takes to not only be in our top 9, but to compete within the top 7. The depth of this men's squad is solid, and I could see any of the five earning their spot this weekend."
Women's 5k Invitational — 9:45 a.m.
Jamie Ferris, Karen Mac, Allison Maio, Allison Martinez, Anika Renken, Marisa Rudolph
Martinez, Rudolph and Renken were among the 25 Broncos to set PRs at the Bronco Invite. Maio ran a 6k 23:13.8 to take 29th place in the Women's Open race.
"Like the men's race, there are a number of women who have the ability to be top 7, and we're looking to see how they respond to the challenge," Cushman said. "Allison Martinez has continued to improve each race, each practice, and had her best 6k last weekend. She's gaining confidence. Marisa always runs tough, and this weekend will be no different. Jamie is continuing to learn college racing and the 6k, and will no doubt challenge for the spot."
