Kaia Schmidt Named Big West Cross Country Athlete Of The Week
October 13, 2026 | Women's Cross Country
Senior earns conference recognition following season debut at Bill Dellinger Invitational
IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine senior Kaia Schmidt has been named The Big West Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week following a standout performance at the Bill Dellinger Invitational, the conference announced Tuesday.
Making her season debut, Schmidt led the Anteaters with a 16th-place finish in a competitive field of 105 runners, clocking a 6K time of 21:00.8. She was the top Big West finisher in a field that featured nationally ranked No. 7 Oregon and programs from the ACC, Big Sky and Mountain West.
Schmidt's performance helped UC Irvine secure fourth place in the 12-team field with 118 points.
A returning All-Big West performer, Schmidt earns her second career Big West Athlete of the Week honor after previously receiving the recognition in September 2025.
The honor follows a strong opening performance for Schmidt, who immediately established herself at the front of the Anteaters' lineup in her first competition of the 2026 season.
Making her season debut, Schmidt led the Anteaters with a 16th-place finish in a competitive field of 105 runners, clocking a 6K time of 21:00.8. She was the top Big West finisher in a field that featured nationally ranked No. 7 Oregon and programs from the ACC, Big Sky and Mountain West.
Schmidt's performance helped UC Irvine secure fourth place in the 12-team field with 118 points.
A returning All-Big West performer, Schmidt earns her second career Big West Athlete of the Week honor after previously receiving the recognition in September 2025.
The honor follows a strong opening performance for Schmidt, who immediately established herself at the front of the Anteaters' lineup in her first competition of the 2026 season.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
Tuesday, November 18
Saturday, September 20
Wednesday, September 03
Wednesday, August 27
