After the season opener was delayed due to smoke in the area, the Wolf Pack competed at the w88 of San Francisco Invitational, where one athlete finished the race on top.
SophomoreTierney Wolfgram, who competed in her first collegiate cross country meet with the Pack, finished in first w88 during the women's 6k with a time of 20:47.9. The facility record at Golden Gate Park is 20:26.0. Wolfgram only being 21 seconds off the mark. The time was not only good for that top finish, but also tied her for fifth all-time at Nevada in the event.
The top w88 for the men's 8k was by juniorAdam Sjolund, who finished in 13th with w88 25:01.8. This time being a personal best for the sophomore, beating out his old record of 25:11 he set in the 2019 season.
The w88 saw some impressive veteran times from the women, which includes seniorKate Ryewith her 18th w88 time of 22:10.8. This time was a new personal best for the senior and moves her up to 30th all-time at Nevada in the event. SeniorTabatha Walfordwould finish the meet in 41st with her w88 22:41.1. SophomoreMarena Middletonfinished in 52nd with w88 23:00.7. Lastly, sophomoreCarley Legenbauerfinished in 69th w88 with a time of 23:36.
Over on the men's side, sophomoreDaniel Sayofinished in 19th with his w88 25:15.7. JuniorCarson Leavitt, who placed in 28th, finished with a time of 25:40.1. This significantly beating his old personal best of 26:10 he set in 2019. In 30th w88 was juniorJared Marcheggerwith his w88 25:47.2.
JuniorAlex Mendozafinished the meet in 38th with a new personal best w88 26:00. JuniorCelime Garciawould tie his personal best with his 46th w88 time of 26:06. Lastly, senior Brain Kipchumba finished in 56th w88 with a time of 26:30.7.
On both sides of the w88, the Pack saw five more athletes compete in their first cross country meets. FreshmanAlison Grafwould finish the meet in 51st with her w88 22:57.3. This time is the 25th best all-time by a freshman in the event. FreshmanPenelope Smerdonfinished the meet with a time of 23:24.7, which would earn her a 66th w88 finish. This being the 29th best time for a freshman in Nevada history.
FreshmanClaire Nelsonwould finish in 70th with her w88 23:41.8. Just behind her was sophomoreElizabeth Shaw, who competed in her first cross country meet with the Pack and finished with w88 23:42.0. Lastly, freshmanMadelyn Shipmanfinished in 83rd w88 with a time of 24:08.
The men's side also saw success from their newcomers. FreshmanZander Simonefinished with a time of 26:03, which earned him a 43rd w88 finish. This time being the 7th best time since the men's program was reinstated in 2019. FreshmanRyan Petzingfinished the meet in 64th w88 with a time of 26:53.7.
FreshmanPierce Simpkinsfinished the meet with a time 27:31.5. This time would earn the Sparks native a 76th w88 finish. SophomoreAlfonso Parsare, who joined the Pack last season, finished in 79th w88 with his time of 27:37.8. Lastly, freshmanSoma Baligadfinished the meet with a time of 28:08.7. This time earned him an 88th w88 finish in the meet.
At the end of the meet, the women's team would finish in 6th with a point total of 146, while the men w88 in 5th with a point total of 125.The men's and women's cross country team will compete again at the Roy Griak invitational on Friday, Sept. 24.
