Men’s Track Scores Heat Wins in both Races at Season-Opening UW Invitational

Cross Country/Track & Field

Santa Clara bested a host of teams in the DMR, including Boise State, Cal, Gonzaga and Portland.

Posted: Jan 25, 2019

SEATTLE — Santa Clara men's track & field started the season with two heat victories in two races on Friday at the UW Invitational. Zach Litoff finished first in his 5,000-meter heat and the team of Brennan Lagerstrom, Daryon Baynard, Spencer Fischer and Jack Davidson topped their group in the distance medley relay at Dempsey Indoor.

Litoff's 14:24.21 was a personal best mark in his third collegiate race at the distance and more than 18 seconds faster compared to his previous PR, set at last year's UW Invite. The time stood up for 10^th place overall in the field of 37 runners.

Jorge Estrella captured third place in the same race with a 14:25.98 as part of his Santa Clara track debut, good for 12^th in the field that featured a pair of heats. Xander Olivero also recorded a PR with a 14:43.28 and Wake Forest transfer William Hunsdale made his debut at 15:18.

The men's DMR team was the only one in its section of 15 to finish in faster than 10 minutes at 9:57.98 (Lagerstrom 1,200m 3:02, Baynard 400m 0:52, Fischer 800m 1:56, Davidson 1,600m 4:05). Their time was good for third place overall in the field of 23.

Broncos score a heat win in the first race of track season at the UW Invitational! Zach Litoff took first with a 5000m 14:24.21 and Jorge Estrella placed third with a 14:25.98. #StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/QrMZ4Bc118
— Santa Clara Cross Country/Track & Field (@SCUXCTF) January 26, 2019

QUOTABLE

"I was very impressed with how we competed. The guys were focused but loose and were able to keep it simple and run to win. I'm looking forward to the rest of the team's debut in February at Bellarmine.

"I was particularly pleased with how everyone finished – very solid over the final 400m. Jack's 4:05 split on the DMR, Zach's 5k heat win and Jorge's debut stood out from what was all around a fantastic evening of competition."

- Head coach Felipe Montoro

NEXT UP

The men are back on the track Feb. 23 at the West Coast Invitational. The women open track & field season on Feb. 9 at the Boise State Bronco Challenge.

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