Courtesy Cal Athletics
Cal Men Place 23rd At NCAA Championships
Cross Country Concludes Season With Third-Best National Finish
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Making its first appearance at the NCAA Championships since the 2010 season, the California men’s cross country team earned the third-best finish in program history after taking 23rd as a team at the championships meet that was held at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky.
“The coaches poll had us projected to place 28th, so 23rd is good! Many team that have that emotional performance at regionals blow up at NCAA's! Everyone ran solid in a very physical race. Only the star-loaded teams of 2007 (16th) and 2008 (22nd) finished higher. We're very proud of them, and each will be better in the individual specialties in track & field."
Senior Chris Walden led the Golden Bear effort in finishing 59th overall at 30:46.0. Walden becomes the fourth Golden Bear man to earn the top Cal finish at two NCAA Championships in his career. Last year as an individual, Walden had the top finish by proxy after claiming 17th individually before today’s leading effort. Other Golden Bears that have also competed at least two NCAA Championships – whether as a part of the team or as an individual qualifier – and had the top Cal finish were David Torrence (2006, 2007), Richie Boulet (1993, 1994) and Tom Downs (1981, 1982).
The top five Cal runners all placed within one minute of each other with John Lawson crossing the finish line 83rd at 31:00.4, Trent Brendel scoring 114th at 31:23.9, Robert Brandt coming in 129th at 31:31.8 and Thomas Joyce claiming 139th at 31:37.7.
"I thought the guys really gave a great effort after the emotional roller coaster from last week's regional meet,” California Director of Track and Field & Cross Country Tony Sandoval said. “We knew everyone had to run their very best to have a chance to win an at-large spot at regionals. Initially, we thought we didn't make it, then Flotrack unofficially projected us to be selected. Until the NCAA released those selections we were on pins and needles. Shayla, Chas and I are so appreciative for these young men to come back after that emotional performance and duplicate it here in Louisville.”
Syracuse won the men’s team title with 82 points, followed by Colorado and Stanford. Oregon and Iona round out the top five teams in the national finish. A league-record seven Pac-12 men’s teams competed at the NCAA Championships with the Bears besting Washington State’s 26th-place finish.
CALIFORNIA MEN’S RESULTS (8K)
59. Chris Walden – 30:46.0
83. John Lawson – 31:00.4
114. Trent Brendel – 31:23.9
129. Robert Brandt – 31:31.8
139. Thomas Joyce – 31:37.7
171. Leland Later – 32:04.9
179. Garrett Corcoran – 32:18.5
“The coaches poll had us projected to place 28th, so 23rd is good! Many team that have that emotional performance at regionals blow up at NCAA's! Everyone ran solid in a very physical race. Only the star-loaded teams of 2007 (16th) and 2008 (22nd) finished higher. We're very proud of them, and each will be better in the individual specialties in track & field."
Senior Chris Walden led the Golden Bear effort in finishing 59th overall at 30:46.0. Walden becomes the fourth Golden Bear man to earn the top Cal finish at two NCAA Championships in his career. Last year as an individual, Walden had the top finish by proxy after claiming 17th individually before today’s leading effort. Other Golden Bears that have also competed at least two NCAA Championships – whether as a part of the team or as an individual qualifier – and had the top Cal finish were David Torrence (2006, 2007), Richie Boulet (1993, 1994) and Tom Downs (1981, 1982).
The top five Cal runners all placed within one minute of each other with John Lawson crossing the finish line 83rd at 31:00.4, Trent Brendel scoring 114th at 31:23.9, Robert Brandt coming in 129th at 31:31.8 and Thomas Joyce claiming 139th at 31:37.7.
"I thought the guys really gave a great effort after the emotional roller coaster from last week's regional meet,” California Director of Track and Field & Cross Country Tony Sandoval said. “We knew everyone had to run their very best to have a chance to win an at-large spot at regionals. Initially, we thought we didn't make it, then Flotrack unofficially projected us to be selected. Until the NCAA released those selections we were on pins and needles. Shayla, Chas and I are so appreciative for these young men to come back after that emotional performance and duplicate it here in Louisville.”
Syracuse won the men’s team title with 82 points, followed by Colorado and Stanford. Oregon and Iona round out the top five teams in the national finish. A league-record seven Pac-12 men’s teams competed at the NCAA Championships with the Bears besting Washington State’s 26th-place finish.
CALIFORNIA MEN’S RESULTS (8K)
59. Chris Walden – 30:46.0
83. John Lawson – 31:00.4
114. Trent Brendel – 31:23.9
129. Robert Brandt – 31:31.8
139. Thomas Joyce – 31:37.7
171. Leland Later – 32:04.9
179. Garrett Corcoran – 32:18.5
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