RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Transitioning from the 5K ran in the season opener, four Regals took on the 6K for the first time in a Cal Lutheran uniform, including freshmen Veronica Redpath who led the Regals at the UC Riverside Invitational, Saturday morning.
"This is the earliest in the season we have run a 6K and I am very happy with how all the Regals performed for racing the longer distance earlier than in years past," explained cross country coach Brett Halvaks, "Getting a 6K done sooner will have us more prepared for championships at the end of the year."
Competing against club to NCAA Division I athletes, Redpath led the Regals with a time of 24:01.2 in her 6K debut, finishing in 140th. Rachel Ereso finished right behind her in 142nd at 24:06.3.
Also under the 25-minute mark, Caroline Slate and Olivia Becker crossed the line back-to-back with one another at 155th and 156th, respectively. Slate notched a 24:47.9 while Becker recorded a 24:58.2.
Captain Kylie Rodriguez joined them at 25:47.0 (160th), Cameron Baggs at 25:49.3 (161st) and Samantha Torres rounded out the group at 26:36.7 (167th). Returning from injury, Ashley Gomez competed in the women's open 5K and posted a 21:13.3 in her first collegiate meet.
Overall, the Regals ran a team time of 2:03:40, with an average 6K time of 24:44. The team's top five runners finished within 1:45 of one another, proving the team's strength in pack running.
The Regals returns to the race course on Saturday, September 29, at the Master's Invitational in Santa Clarita, California. Races begin at 7:45 a.m. PST at the Master's Central Park.
Meet Results: UC Riverside Invitational
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Release by Christy Effendie, Assistant Sports Information Director
