Cross-Country Roundup : Irvine Sweeps PCAA Championships

The UC Irvine men’s and women’s cross-country teams won Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. championships Saturday at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, marking the first time one school has swept all four conference and individual titles.

It was the third consecutive title for the Anteater women and the men’s first since 1982. The men finished second the past two seasons.

The Anteater women had a total of 25 points to outdistance San Diego State (48), Santa Barbara (79), Fullerton (83), and Hawaii (118).

UCI’s Jennifer Abraham won the 5,000-meter race in 18:06, followed by teammate Beth McGramm in 18:16. Allison Owen of UCI was fifth in 18:51.

The Anteater men scored 30 points to win. New Mexico followed with 57, Utah State 114, Long Beach State 115, Fresno State 120, UC Santa Barbara 139, UNLV 158, Cal State Fullerton 170, and San Jose State 197.

UCI’s Rusty Knowles finished first over the men’s 10,000-meter course in 31:13, and teammate Ralph Garibaldi was second in 31:30. The Anteaters’ Rod Curry was fourth in 31:42.

Fullerton’s Gary Daily finished 10th in 32:03 to pace the Titans.

The Fullerton women finished third in the team standings, but were dropped to fourth because of the disqualification of sophomore Jenni Scott for cutting a corner. She had finished eighth in 19:01.

Fullerton junior Mandy Whistler was 10th, and sophomore Judy Mazowiecki was 14th.

In other action:

Cal State San Bernardino 21, Chapman 34--Both the Chapman men’s and women’s teams lost by identical scores in nonconference competition on San Bernardino’s hilly course, although the Panther’s Ray Campbell won his second straight dual meet in 29:54 over the 5.2-mile course. David Kane placed sixth in 35:21 as the Panther men dropped to 1-3.

The Chapman women (2-2) were led by Carla Figueroa, who was third in 21:34 for the 3.2-mile race. Sheri White was sixth in 22:54. The Panthers compete next weekend in the NCAA Western Regional Meet at Sierra College in Rocklin.