Live Results // Notes (PDF) // Season Preview Video

IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's cross country team kicks off the 2018 season on Saturday, Sept. 1, when it makes its way to Carbon Canyon Regional Park for the Mark Covert Classic, hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The men's Division I 8K race is set to start at 8:40 a.m.

STORYLINES
• UC Irvine returns six letterwinners from last year's squad that finished fifth at the Big West Championships.
• The Anteaters projected top-three are junior Hector Garcia, senior Ashton Garcia and senior Jon Rodriguez.
• The 'Eaters also bring in five true freshmen who are coming off impressive prep careers.
• UCI had a pair of runner-up finishes last year, placing second at the TMU Invitational and Highlander Challenge.
 
THE RETURNERS
• Junior Hector Garcia was UC Irvine's top runner in five of six races last year.
• He earned all-conference honors after finishing sixth at the 2017 Big West Championships.
• Garcia also ran a 10K personal-record 31:10.3 to place 77th in a field of 207 at the NCAA West Regional.
• The Los Angeles native added his first collegiate individual victory at the Pepperdine Invitational 5K on Sept. 1, 2017.
• Senior Ashton Garcia had a career-best 29th-place showing at the 2017 Big West Championships.
• Senior Jon Rodriguez was the Anteaters' third finisher at last year's NCAA West Regional (88th).
• Junior Sam Ayala, sophomore Kit Carter and sophomore Ravi Sharma are also back for the 'Eaters.
 
THE NEWCOMERS
• Josh Ma (Loyola HS) finished 29th at the 2017 CIF Division I State Cross Country Championships.
• Ma was among the top-three finishers at the Mission League Finals three years in a row, winning the title in 2015.
• Omar Adel helped Woodbridge High School claim three-straight Pacific Coast League championships.
• Sebastian Bautista (Whittier HS) won an individual league title and placed 12th at the CIF DII State meet in 2017.
• Christian Hernandez (Garfield HS) qualified for the 2017 state meet after a top-10 showing at the LA City Finals.
• Gabriel Ramirez was a two-time state qualifier and the 2016 Del Rio League champion at California High School.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP PREP
• UCI will get an early look at both the Big West Championship and NCAA West Regional courses this year.
• The 'Eaters are set to compete at Carbon Canyon Park (Big West) this Saturday at the Mark Covert Classic.
• They will also make their way to Haggin Oaks Golf Complex (NCAA) for the Capital Cross Challenge on Sept. 29.
 
QUOTING COACH EVANS
On the team: "Our men's team definitely wants to improve on their conference finish. UC Davis barely got us last year (for fourth place), so I know our guys feel there is some unfinished business there. They are looking to see what they can do and how far up in the conference they can go."
 
On the schedule: "We are very excited about our schedule this year. It allows our athletes to not only race the championship courses, but to also test themselves against some of the top teams and individuals in the region."
 
UP NEXT
• UCI is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 15, when it travels to the Inland Empire for the UC Riverside Invitational.