SACRAMENTO - Sophomore Juan Chantaca ran the seventh-fastest 10K in program history to lead UC Irvine at the NCAA West Regional Friday at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.
 
Chantaca cut over one minute off his 10K personal best, crossing the finish line in 30:09.4 to place 32nd out of 203 runners. It was the best individual regional finish by an Anteater since 1999.
 
Chantaca, who broke the 8K school record back in September, etched his name in the 10K ledger at No. 7. He is one of only two 'Eaters to enter UCI's all-time top-10 at that distance since 1987. Chantaca led UC Irvine in all five of his races and was twice named the Big West Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week this season.
 
Junior Jimmy Markwoicz finished 144th in his second career 10K (32:17.0), while freshman Ziyad Abdallah clocked in at 32:26.7 in his NCAA debut.
 
UC Irvine did not compete as a team. Seventh-ranked Oregon took home the title with 55 points, and No. 17 California Baptist was the runner-up with 95 points. Washington State's Solomon Kipchoge was the individual champion (28:54.4).