HONOLULU, Hawai'i – The UC Irvine women's cross country team claimed runner-up honors, while junior Kaia Schmidt had a top-five individual showing at the Big West Championships Friday morning at Queen Kapi'olani Regional Park.
Cal Poly won its fourth-straight team title with 31 points, while UCI took second with 75 points. The Anteaters held a seven-point edge over third-place UC San Diego. The Tritons' Sylvana Northrop was the individual champion (20:42.1).
Kaia Schmidt led the 'Eaters as she covered the 6K course in 21:13.2 to come in fourth. Schmidt held steady with the lead pack throughout the race, never dropping below sixth. She then made a push over the final 1K for a career-best individual conference finish. Schmidt earned All-Big West honors by way of her top-10 performance. It is the fifth-straight year an Anteater has garnered all-conference distinction.
Freshman Grace Baxter had an impressive outing in her Big West Championship debut. Baxter was 14th overall, clocking in at 21:50.8. Senior Makena Castillo was next across the line for UC Irvine in 17th (21:56.0). Sophomore Liana Lee was 19th at 21:59.7.
Junior Emma Hadley was just outside the top-20 with a time of 22:06.5 (21st), while sophomore Rachel Moen was right on her heels in 22nd (22:08.8).
Sophomore Anna Soares (22:20.3), senior Nicole Contreras (22:39.2) and junior Marjourie Lopez (22:44.6) rounded out UCI's lineup.
UC Irvine will now have a couple weeks to prepare for the NCAA West Regional at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento on Friday, Nov. 14.
– UC Irvine Athletics
