Results

SACRAMENTO - The UC Irvine men's cross country team finished 23rd at the NCAA West Regional Friday at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.
 
"Our goal coming into this race was to beat teams who beat us throughout the season," UCI distance coach Chris Evans said. "The men stepped up to the challenge, beating both UC Riverside and Long Beach State. Hector had his best race of the season, and Sam went from 173rd last year to 95th this year. The three freshmen learned a lot in their first 10K, and Sebastian proved to be key in our team improvement."
 
Junior Hector Garcia paced the Anteaters in their first 10000-meter race of the season as he placed 79th overall. Garcia clocked in with a personal-record 31:06.3, knocking four seconds off his previous best. He was UCI's No. 1 runner for the fifth time in six races.
 
Junior Sam Ayala also notched a lifetime-best 31:28.8, topping his PR by nearly two minutes. He had his best career NCAA West Regional finish with a 95th-place showing.
 
Senior Ashton Garcia came in 156th with a personal-best 32:49.5, and freshman Sebastian Bautista was 182nd (33:29.9). Sophomore Kit Carter rounded out UC Irvine's top-five at 34:02.1.
 
Freshmen Gabriel Ramirez (34:20.0) and Christian Hernandez (36:24.2) also competed for the 'Eaters.
 
Portland claimed the West Regional team title with 77 points, while Washington was a close second (82). Both teams earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 17.
 
 
NCAA West Regional 6K
Friday, Nov. 9
Haggin Oaks Golf Complex - Sacramento, Calif.
 
Team Results (Out of 29)
Top 5 + UC Irvine
1. Portland - 77
2. Washington - 82
3. Boise State - 102
4. Stanford - 110
5. Oregon - 149
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23. UC Irvine - 676
 
Individual Results (Out of 208)
79. Hector Garcia (31:06.3)
95. Sam Ayala (31:28.8)
156. Ashton Garcia (32:49.5)
182. Sebastian Bautista (33:29.9)
194. Kit Carter (34:02.1)
198. Gabriel Ramirez (34:20.0)
208. Christian Hernandez (36:24.2)