SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Pepperdine cross country wrapped up their season at the NCAA West Regionals at the Arcade Creek Cross Country Course this morning. The men earned 17th with 527 points in the 10K; the women placed 37th in the 6K.
"I'm so proud of how both our teams performed today," said head coach Lauren Floris. "The women finished out their season with a solid performance and our men ran a hard-fought 10k to beat some really strong teams."
Pepperdine raced through a scenic suburban golf course—adorned with fall foliage and made slick by the intense deluge the night before. By the final lap, the team's jerseys and race bibs were freckled with mud. Undoubtedly, the Waves raced with their hearts.
Senior Patrick Thomas had a memorable final race. He was the top Waves finisher for the first time this season. Initially starting out slow, he demonstrated both his stamina and patience on the last loop to overtake dozens of runners and earn 80th (31:05.2). The next men's runners to cross were Gordy Nilsen in 85th (31:10.3) and Elijah Gentry in 89th (31:11.4).
Like she has done all throughout her junior season, Lizzy Crawford was the Waves' top finisher on the women's side. She finished in the top 100, taking 93rd at 21:38.2. The next finishers for the blue and orange in the event were Grace Simpson (23:25.5) and Jessica Guardino (23:28.7).
The team looks to build off of their admirable performance today, with only two of this season's runners graduating.
Oregon won the men's event with 55 total points, while Stanford took the women's 6K with a score of 66.
FULL RESULTS
The runners will take a brief reprieve before gearing up for the transition into track season.
Pepperdine Women's 6K Finishes
93. Lizzy Crawfaord (21:38.2)
223. Grace Simpson (23:25.5)
226. Jessica Guardino (23:28.7)
234. Ashley Eagan (23:41.6)
253. Kennedy Duralde (24:30.6)
257. Hannah Miller (24:52.3)
262. Renee Skiera (25:47.3)
Pepperdine Men's 8K Finishes
80. Patrick Thomas (31:05.2)
85. Gordy Nilsen (31:10.3)
89. Elijah Gentry (31:11.4)
125. Dominic Silhol (31:52.5)
158. Rowan Nilsen (32:31.2)
185. Kaleb McElfish (33:47.3)
197. Beckett Sullivan (35:01.0)
ABOUT PEPPERDINE CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
The Pepperdine cross country/track program has a rich history dating back to the 1950s with six total individual national championships to come through the program. As one of the original three programs sponsored by then George Pepperdine College in 1937, the Waves immediately began to make a mark on the track world stage with eight total Olympians and multiple regional champions throughout the program's history.
FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine cross country/track news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineXCTR.
