DAVIS, CA – The UC Santa Cruz men's cross country team delivered a strong performance at the UC Davis Stump Invitational on September 14, 2024, securing a 4th place finish out of nine teams in the men's 8K race. Competing against a field of 66 runners, the Banana Slugs posted a team time of 2:11:28, with an average time of 26:18 and a 5-man gap of just 31 seconds, demonstrating their depth and consistency. The UC Santa Cruz women's cross country team made a strong effort at the UC Davis Stump Invitational on September 14, 2024, finishing 6th out of nine teams in the women's 5K race. The Banana Slugs recorded a team time of 1:39:20, with an average time of 19:52 and a 5-man gap of 1:09, demonstrating a consistent team performance.
 
Men's 8k
The race took place on a mostly flat and fast 2K loop, allowing for quick times and competitive racing.
Leading the Slugs was Bentham Vu, who crossed the finish line in 19th place with a time of 26:03.6. Close behind was Ethan Vahle, finishing 22nd in 26:13.6, followed by Michael Masotti in 24th place with a time of 26:16.3. Brennen Rickey and Alex Wille rounded out the top five scorers, placing 25th and 29th, with times of 26:19.8 and 26:34.1, respectively.
Additional team finishers included:

• Gavin Hahn – 32nd place, 26:39.8
• Liam Manley – 39th place, 27:02.5
• Will Langton – 40th place, 27:08.1
• Viktor Kieturakis – 42nd place, 27:12.1
• Diego Vizcarra – 48th place, 27:45.0
• Kelvin Chan – 50th place, 27:57.5
• Eduardo Palma – 55th place, 28:21.8
• Marcus Fehlman – 58th place, 28:54.0

The Banana Slugs' ability to maintain a small gap between their top five finishers is a promising sign as they prepare for their upcoming competitions.

Women's 6k
The race was held on a course featuring 2K dirt loops, flat terrain, and fast conditions, ideal for personal bests and solid team performances.
 
Leading the way for UC Santa Cruz was Rosey Harris, who finished 42nd with a time of 19:27.2. Ryanne Reynolds followed close behind, crossing the line in 46th place with a time of 19:40.5. Madelyn Basinet and Hope Martin finished just seconds apart, taking 48th and 49th places with times of 19:46.7 and 19:50.0, respectively. Lucia Muthu rounded out the top five scorers, finishing 59th in 20:35.5.
 
Additional finishers included:
Sofia Placias – 60th place, 20:36.5
Despite the competitive field, the Banana Slugs maintained a tight pack, with their top five runners finishing within just over a minute of each other. The team will look to build on this performance as they continue their season.
 
Looking Ahead:
UC Santa Cruz will next compete at the UC Riverside Invitational on Saturday, September 21st, where they will look to improve their results and continue pushing toward top finishes in a competitive field.