A chance ‘to show the ACC what’s up’: Bears chase glory at upcoming championships

Cal heads east to Blacksburg for ACC Cross Country Championships

The California men’s and women’s cross country teams will head east to Blacksburg, Virginia this weekend for the ACC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Virginia Tech. It will be Cal’s first appearance at the ACC Championships since joining the conference this past July 1.

The men’s team enters the weekend ranked No. 22 in the USTFCCCA National Coaches’ Poll after moving up three spots in this week’s poll. Meanwhile, the women’s team sits just outside the top 30, receiving votes in the latest poll.

Men’s team looks to continue strong season

The Cal men’s cross country team has had a strong season so far, finishing in the top five in all five of its races this fall. The Bears won the Stanford Invitational, finished second at the Roy Griak Invitational and third at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational.

The Bears will be led by senior transfer Aaron Bienenfeld, who has been Cal’s top finisher in all five races this season. Bienenfeld finished 10th at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational, which was the highest finish by a Cal runner at the meet since 2017.

Other key runners for the Bears include senior Evan Burke, sophomore Vincent Paez and junior Cole Sprout. Burke has been Cal’s No. 2 runner in all but one race this season, while Paez and Sprout have both been in the Bears’ top five in every race this fall.

Women’s team aims to improve upon last year’s finish

The Cal women’s cross country team finished 11th at the ACC Championships last year. The Bears will be looking to improve upon that finish this year, and they have the talent to do so.

The Bears are led by senior Sophie Chase, who has been Cal’s top finisher in all five races this season. Chase finished 15th at the Wisconsin adidas Invitational, which was the highest finish by a Cal runner at the meet since 2016.

Other key runners for the Bears include sophomore Fiona O’Keeffe, junior Rachel Davidson and sophomore Makena Morley. O’Keeffe has been Cal’s No. 2 runner in all but one race this season, while Davidson and Morley have both been in the Bears’ top five in every race this fall.

Bears excited for opportunity to compete in ACC Championships

The Cal men’s and women’s cross country teams are excited for the opportunity to compete in the ACC Championships. It will be a great opportunity for the Bears to show the ACC what they’re made of.

“We’re really excited to compete in the ACC Championships,” said Cal men’s head coach Tony Sandoval. “It’s a great opportunity for us to show the ACC what we’re made of. We’ve had a great season so far, and we’re looking to finish it strong at the ACC Championships.”

“We’re really looking forward to competing in the ACC Championships,” said Cal women’s head coach Shayla Houlihan. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to see where we stack up against the best teams in the conference. We’ve had a great season so far, and we’re looking to finish it strong at the ACC Championships.