Chapman shows improvement in first SCIAC race

LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Chapman University men's and women's cross country teams competed in the Panthers' first SCIAC Multi-Dual Meet of the season to earn a program best finish of 4-4 on the women's side and a 1-7 finish on the men's side.

The women's team finished the 6K with an average pace of 24:32.77 to earn an overall finish of fifth. The Panthers continued to maintain a strong presence as a team in this week's race, maintaining a 1-5 gap of just 30 seconds.

Leading the women's team, freshman Avery Cardosi ran a season-best 24:19.65. Senior Cathryne Ramirez finished 40th overall with a final mark of 24:25.36.

Sophomore Nika Cokas crossed the line at 24:28.31 for a season-best as well. Sophomore Gigi Vujovich and senior Michiko Yee were right behind, finishing in 24:40.64 and 24:49.89 respectively.                                                            

The men's team finished the 8k in eighth, defeating Cal Lutheran with an average time of 28:05.20. The Panthers improved to a 1-5 gap of 52 seconds, the best of the season.

Pacing the men's team, freshman Drake Butler earned a final mark of 27:37.08 to finish in the top 50. A little less than a minute behind Bulter was freshman Chris Pai, who crossed the line at 28:24.09 to finish 65th overall.

Freshman Erick Garcia trailed Pai by less than two seconds with a final time of 28:24.09.  Sliding into the top-100, freshman Evan Richardson crossed the line with a final time of 30:18.79. Completing Chapman's top-five, sophomore Jonah Soltes earned a 31:17.23.

The team title went to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on both the women's and men's sides, each finishing the course with an unblemished 8-0 record on the day.

The Panthers will take a two-week break before competing at the Pomona-Pitzer Invite at Claremont, Calif. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The women will toe the line at 7:45 a.m. and the men will compete at 8:30 a.m.