Cross Country is Fresno-bound for Cal Pac Championship

Meet 4

California Pacific Conference Championship
Hosted by UC Merced
Monday, November 1
Fresno Calif. – Woodward Park
Men's 8k: 10 a.m.
Women's 5k: 11 a.m.

VALLEJO, Calif. – After competing in two races in as many weeks, Cal Maritime Cross Country will use experienced gained from those competitions, and the rest of the season, when everyone heads to Woodward Park in Fresno, California — site of this season's California Pacific Conference Cross Country Championship.

UC Merced is the school hosting this meet, which will take place on Monday, November 1; the men's 8k race is slated for 10 a.m. with the women running the 5k course, starting at 11 a.m.

As one of the few sports that competed during a COVID-influenced season last spring, a league championship that saw both teams capture third place, the Keelhaulers are excited to compete for individual and team accolades.

"We all work hard in practice, which is why everyone is this championship," said freshman Safari Frisell. "Compared to the beginning of the season, everyone improved tremendously because the team strengthened its chemistry by encouraging, motivating, and pushing each other during our runs.

"Although cross country is an individual sport, we run together and help each other improve as a team," she added.

By purposefully competing on two different courses, each unique with their layouts and challenges in previous weeks, head coach Jeff Ward designed this season's schedules to help cadet-athletes enter the Cal Pac Championships in peak shape.

Said junior Nick Yarusso, " Last week's race (at the Warrior Invite) was great. I know a lot of us set new PRs thanks to the amazing support of our teammates on the sideline. We had a few first-timers competing last week, so I think they'll be heading into the Cal Pac Championship with a good plan on how to start, finish, and run with confidence." 

Since this year's Championship features a slew of Keelhauler newcomers and first-time competitors, members of each team are not only helping one another prepare for the physical rigors a race of this magnitude possesses, but the mental and emotional challenges everyone will face as well.

"Do not take this opportunity for granted, a team like this is incredibly unique and I feel very lucky to have been a part of it," said Yarusso, regarding advice he shared with teammates. "I would also say that everyone has 30 minutes to finish the race and the rest of the year to recover, so spend those 30 minutes in total discomfort knowing you left everything on the course."

Added, Frisell: As a freshman, I am mentally preparing for this race by trusting the work I invested during practices since the team captains helped me believe in myself and encouraged me to work hard. I am not scared going into this championship because I know that the team will have my back, and I am not running this race alone."