Mammoth Lakes, Calif. – The UCLA cross country team opened its 2022 season with victories over UC San Diego at a dual meet in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., on Thursday. The women’s team ran first, taking on a 3000-meter course before the men ran their 4k race at the Whitmore Recreation Area.
The Bruins had strong finishes across the board, taking five of the top six spots on both the men’s and women’s sides.
The women were led by senior Emma Tavella who paced the Bruins with a 9:55.5 first-place finish. Sophomore Mia Kane trailed right behind, finishing second in the race at 9:57.9. UCLA’s remaining scorers – Bella Browne (10:09.4), Kate Tugman (10:12.9), and Sophia Hoelzl (10:13.7) – finished in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively to bring UCLA’s scoring total to 18. Ten additional UCLA runners completed the course, eight of whom placed in the top 20 for the race.
Junior Michael Mireles finished as UCLA’s top runner on the men’s side with a 11:26.7 time, leading the way for the Bruins for the first time since the 2021 spring season opener. Redshirt-juniors Peter Herold (11:27.0) and Andrew Martinez (11:27.5) finished within one second of Mireles to secure second and third place for the Bruins. Junior Ronan McMahon-Staggs placed fifth after clocking a 11:34.8 time, and sophomore Patrick Curulla (11:40.0) rounded out UCLA’s scorers with a sixth-place finish. Six more Bruins finished the 4k on the men’s side, all finishing 21st or better on the day.
Women’s 3k – Team 1st (18 points)
1. Emma Tavella – 9:55.5
2. Mia Kane – 9:57.9
4. Bella Browne – 10:09.4
5. Kate Tugman – 10:12.9
6. Sophia Hoelzel – 10:13.7
7. Gwyn George – 10:14.0
9. Kaho Cichon – 10:18.5 9
11. Carly Corsinita – 10:21.5
12. Ashley Johnson – 10:27.0
13. Claire Selleck – 10:30.0
16. Anna Weirich – 10:36.5
17. Annika Salz – 10:37.3
19. Annabelle Werner – 10:48.5
24. Miliana Perez – 10:58.9
31. Kerrigan McGreevy – 11:49.7
Men’s 4k – Team 1st (17 points)
1. Michale Mireles – 11:26.7
2. Peter Herold – 11:27.0
3. Andrew Martinez – 11:27.5
5. Ronan McMahon-Staggs – 11:34.8
6. Patrick Curulla – 11:40.0
10. Jai Dawson – 11:48.6
11. Dylan Wilbur – 11:49.2
13. Chris Chavez – 11:52.9
15. Connor Gibson – 11:55.3
16. Jake Parker – 11:56.2
19. Mason Ratkovich – 12:01.2
21. Anthony Stone –…
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