Oct. 13, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. --On Saturday, October 14th, Santa Clara University will host the annual Bronco Invitational, held at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale, Calif. The event will kick off with the men's 8k race beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by the women's 5k race at 10:15 a.m..
The 2006 Bronco invitational boasts the largest field of racers in the recent past. A total of 14 schools - 275 racers - from all over California and the West Coast will participate, including WCC rivals University of San Francisco and St. Mary's College.
"There is some great competition out there", said Santa Clara head coach Tom Service. "Coaches typically like to race their teams on flat, fast courses two weeks before conference championships, and this race is a great opportunity to do that."
And the Broncos are doing just that, as they put the finishing touches on the squad which will represent Santa Clara at the WCC Conference Championships on October 28th. On the women's team, Shannon Bell, Anne Murphy-Hagan and Anna Wheatley have had outstanding seasons thus far, while Gillian Fitch will run just her second race of the season after being unable to compete since her strong performance at the Sundodger Invitational. The men will be led by junior Mike Delaurenti, who, in just three races in 2006, has two 8k performances under 26 minutes.
Saturday will be a great opportunity for the men's and women's teams to run in front of friends, family and alumni, who will be out in full force to support the Broncos.
"It's just a great atmosphere for cross country", Tom Service said. "We'll have families coming down to watch, and alumni on hand. It'll be kind of like a big picnic."
Speaking of alumni, Mike Helms `02 will be in attendance - on the race course, actually - and former assistant coach Pete Cushman will be racing as well.
Saturday's event begins at 9:30 a.m. at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale, Calif.. Baylands Park is located on Caribbean Drive, just north of Highway 237. From Highway 101, exit Lawrence Expressway and travel north/east, and after crossing Highway 237 the park will be on the right hand side.
