Sam Ayala

Height:
5-10
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Norwalk, Calif.

2019 (Senior)
• Did not compete due to injury

2018 (Junior)
• Established an 8K career-best 25:10.8 at the Capital Cross Challenge after returning from injury
• Competed at the Highlander Invitational placing 41st out of 250 runners
• Finished in the top-20 at the Big West Championships with a time of 25:26.4
• Completed the 10k in a personal-best 31:28.8 to place 95th overall at the NCAA West Regional

2017 (Sophomore)
• Finished 10th at the season-opening Pepperdine Invitational, covering the 5000-meter course in 16:14.63
• Established an 8K season-best 26:04.3 at The Master’s XC Invitational
• Placed 30th out of 122 runners at the UCR Highlander Invitational with a 6K season-best 18:34.4
• Competed at the Big West Championships (60th) and NCAA West Regional (171st)

2016 (Freshman)
• Placed eighth overall with a time of 16:13.96 to help the 'Eaters win the team title at the season-opening Pepperdine Invitational 5K
• Had a top-25 finish at the Mustang Challenge, where UCI claimed another team championship
• Ran 25:59.4 over the 8000-meter course
• Recorded an 8K season-best 25:31.41 at the UC Riverside Invitational

High School
• Lettered four years in both cross country and track at Gahr High School
• 2014 ABC District and San Gabriel Valley League cross country champion
• Garnered All-CIF Southern Section accolades
• Won the 800m, 1600m and 3200m titles at the ABC District Track & Field Championships
• San Gabriel Valley League champion in the 1600m and 3200m

Personal
• Majoring in economics
• Parents are Maria and Jose Ayala
• Has one sister, Beatriz

TOP MARKS AT UCI
5K = 16:13.96 (2016 Pepperdine Invitational)
6K = 18:34.4 (2017 Highlander Invitational)
8K = 25:10.8 (2018 Capital Cross Challenge)
10K = 31:28.8 (2018 NCAA West Regional)