(Photo courtesy of John Fajardo)

Complete Results

MALIBU, Calif. - UC Irvine men's cross country had five runners place among the top-10 as the 'Eaters defended their team title at the Pepperdine Invitational Friday afternoon.

UCI went 3-0 in dual-meet scoring, defeating CSUN, Long Beach State and Pepperdine.

Sophomore Hector Garcia also won the individual title, finishing the 5000-meter course at Alumni Park in 15:41.97. He took the lead for good in the last 200 meters to beat Michael Merchan (CSUN) by nearly three seconds.

Senior Izzak Mireles came in third overall with a time of 15:52.13, while freshman Ravi Sharma was the Anteaters' third finisher at 15:53.43 (4th).

Junior Ashton Garcia (16:06.36) and sophomore Sam Ayala (16:14.63), rounded out UCI's top five as they were seventh and 10th, respectively.

"Our goal was to come in and race as a team, and we executed our plan," UC Irvine distance coach Chris Evans said. "Hector was smart and patient to get the win, and Ravi was a real surprise as our third runner in his first collegiate race."

Also competing for the 'Eaters were junior Jon Rodriguez (16th, 16:29.78), freshmen Kit Carter (20th, 16:56.67) and Xavier Weaver (30th, 17:50.94), and junior Andrew Graciano (33rd, 18:01.75).

UCI will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 16, when it heads to the Inland Empire for the UC Riverside Invitational.

 
Pepperdine Invitational
Alumni Park - Malibu, Calif.
Sept. 1, 2017
 
Men's Dual Meet Results
UC Irvine (20) def. CSUN (37)
UC Irvine (17) def. Long Beach State (42)
UC Irvine (18) def. Pepperdine (38)
 
UC Irvine Individual Finishes
1. Hector Garcia (15:41.97)
3. Izzak Mireles (15:52.13)
4. Ravi Sharma (15:53.43)
7. Ashton Garcia (16:06.36)
10. Sam Ayala (16:14.63)
16. Jon Rodriguez (16:29.78)
20. Kit Carter (16:56.67)
30. Xavier Weaver (17:50.94)
33. Andrew Graciano (18:01.75)