Pepperdine University
Waves Invite
Cross Country Impresses in Season Opener at Waves Invite
8/29/2025 7:22:00 PM | Cross Country
MALIBU, Calif. – As the setting sun cast a cinematic light on Alumni Park, the Pepperdine Cross Country team raced to strong finishes at the annual Waves Invite.
ÂLizzy Crawford finished in first place in the women's 4K (13:09.1), leading the Waves to a fourth place finish as a team. From the onset of the race Crawford led the pack, an advantage which she did not relent.
ÂThe men's team started off their season first in the 6K course. Elijah Gentry headlined the first two laps of the 6K – eventually finishing in second individually. He earned a time of 17:54.2.
ÂFellow Wave Gordy Nilsen was right behind him. He crossed the finish line at 18:09.1, good for third.
ÂAs a team, the Pepperdine men ended the race in second place, behind UC Santa Barbara. Patrick Thomas earned sixth (18:36.4) and Dominic Silhol (18:45.7) came in tenth to add to the scoring.
ÂGrace Simpson was the next member of the women's blue and orange to cross (14:28.7) behind Crawford. She netted 15 points in the standings, where the team ultimately finished fourth.
ÂJessica Guardino, Riley Burgess, and Hannah Miller also logged top-40 times for the Waves.
ÂThe Waves have time to catch their breath following a successful season opener. The team travels Sept. 12 to the Biola Invitational.
ÂABOUT 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.Â
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To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine cross country/track news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineXCTR.
Players Mentioned
