Cross Country Officially Reports, Welcomes 13 Newcomers in 2016

Marisa Sanchez (California) and Jack Davidson (Colorado) are two of team's 13 new members this season.
Marisa Sanchez (California) and Jack Davidson (Colorado) are two of team's 13 new members this season.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara cross country reported for the start of its 2016 season Monday, officially beginning the new campaign. The Broncos will hold their first practice on Tuesday.

"Summer training is a lot of hard, lonely work, so it's good to get everyone back and training together again," associate head coach Pete Cushman said. "This preseason is a great time to get acclimated to the season for a few weeks before the classes start."

The team's first competition is slated for Sept. 3 at the USF Invitational, followed by training camp in the Marin Headlands. Santa Clara welcomes 13 new Broncos to the roster this year from seven different states.

Ben Davidson

Hometown: Portland, Ore.| High School: Valley Catholic

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Cross Country Bests

5k 15:53 (Best from 2014, missed 2015 due to injury)

3rd Oregon 4A 2014 | 12th Oregon 4A in 2013

Track Bests

1500m 4:07.72 | 3000m 8:50.81

Head Coach Felipe Montoro on Davidson: "Ben is only just starting to realize his potential as a distance runner. He comes from a great program at Valley Catholic and is going to fit right in with our current group of guys. I expect him to adapt quickly to the new workload and be a big part of the team's development going forward." 

Jack Davidson

Hometown: Denver, Colo. | High School: Regis Jesuit

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Cross Country Bests

5k 17:00

25th in CO 5A 

Track Bests

800m 1:59.73 | 1600m 4:19.75 | 3200m 9:27.51

Montoro on Davidson: "Jack played ice hockey until his senior year, when he decided to try distance running. He missed most of cross country with an injury, but once he was able to be consistent with his training, he developed into one of the best runners in Colorado in just a few months. He was runner-up in the 3200m and finished 3rd in the 1600m at the Colorado state meet and ran great times at altitude. The sky is the limit for this ultra-talented freshman."

Xander Olivero

Hometown: Los Altos, Calif. | High School: St. Francis

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Cross Country Bests

2.95m 15:42 @ Crystal Springs | 3m 15:40 @ Toro Park | 5k 15:26 @ Stanford

5th in CCS D2 as a junior and senior

Track Bests

800m 1:59.79 | 1600m 4:25.73 | 3200m 9:16.64

Montoro on Olivero: "We felt like Xander was a great fit from the beginning of the recruiting process. I think he is well-suited for the longer distances in collegiate cross country and track, and expect him to be a factor for us right away. Xander finished out his high school career making the California state meet for 3200m and running PRs in all his main events.

Brennan Lagerstrom

Hometown: Tarzana, Calif. | High School: Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks

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Cross Country Bests

3m 15:32 @ CIFSS Prelims | 5k 15:59 @ Stanford

Track Bests

800m 1:55.24 | 1600m 4:26.38

Montoro on Lagerstrom: "Brennan's senior season was characterized by major improvements from the 800m though cross country. His improvement over 800m was particularly impressive. After running 2:02 as a junior, Brennan lowered his best to a 1:55.24 and was part of Notre Dame's winning 4x800 at the Arcadia Invite. I am excited to work with Brennan to continue his current improvement curve."

Ben Williams

Hometown: Burlingame, Calif. | High School: Burlingame

Track Bests

800m 1:57.37 | 1600m 4:25.07

Montoro on Williams: "Ben was one of the most enthusiastic recruits I have ever met. Ben showed his desire to be a part of the team by committing early. He played football all four years of high school, so he never ran cross country. His form is very efficient, and that coupled with his desire to train hard and find his limits as a long distance runner have me excited about his future in the sport."

Marisa Sanchez

Hometown: La Crescenta, Calif. | High School: Mayfield

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Cross Country Bests

2.93m 18:22 @ Mt. Sac | 5k 18:26 @ Woodward Park

17th D4 CA State Meet, 9th CIFSS D4 Finals 

Track Bests

800m 2:18.87 | 1600m 5:06.09

Montoro on Sanchez: "Marisa is a great fit for SCU and our team. She was well-coached, and not overworked or overraced at Mayfield. Marisa has had success at the middle distances in track and in cross country, and I expect her to adapt well to our style of training. She should be an immediate impact for us this fall and a big part of our success moving forward."

Noelani Obermeyer

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai'i | High School: Punahou

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Cross Country Bests

3m 18:14 @ Iolani Invite | 5k 18:53 @ Stanford

3rd at 2015 Hawai'i State Meet, 7th in 2013 and 2014

Track Bests

2nd in the 3000m @ 2016 Hawai'i State Championships

1500m 5:10.13 | 3000m 10:46.52

Montoro on Obermeyer: "Noe is a talented athlete with a great deal of potential. She was very competitive at the state level in Hawai'i, but has the capacity for much growth in her training workload. Noe produced her best races at the state meets both in cross country and in track, which is something that we definitely noticed in the recruiting process. I am looking forward to her continued progress as a Bronco."

Khiely Jackson

Hometown: Napa, Calif. | High School: Justin Sienna

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Track Bests

200m 25.80w | 400m 59.69 | 800m 2:25.64

Montoro on Jackson: "I am really pleased to be adding Khiely to the team. She will be moving up to the 800m at SCU after successfully focusing on the long sprints in high school. She has outstanding running mechanics and I think in time she will develop into a very competitive middle distance runner for us. I am excited to start the process of transitioning to longer distances with Khiely this fall."

"We are also extremely pleased to be adding five more student-athletes to this class," Montoro said. "All of these student-athletes have the ability to make our team better and will be given every opportunity to do so. Pete and I are looking forward to working with them."

Carolina Avelar

Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif. | High School: Maria Carrillo

Best Marks: 3m 18:00 @ Woodbridge | 5k 19:20 @ Spring Lake

Cecilia Avelar

Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif. | High School: Maria Carrillo

Best Marks: 3m 17:54 @ Woodbridge | 5k 18:52 @ Spring Lake

Emma Eikelberner

Hometown: Princeton, N.J. | High School: Princeton

Best Marks: 800m 2:23.86

Alanna McCauley

Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc. | High School: University School of Milwaukee

Best Marks: 800m 2:28.27

Katie Laughlin

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo. | High School: MICDS

Best Marks: 5k 19:57 @ Castlewood | 800m 2:23.07

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