Saturday, October 27
Brea, Calif.
8:00 a.m.
California State University at Northridge
vs
Big West Conference Championship
Photo by: Paul Trafecanty
Cross Country Prepared for Big West Championship
10/26/2018 1:47:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
NORTHRIDGE, Calif -- The CSUN men's and women's cross country teams look to wrap up a valiant 2018 campaign with a good showing at the Big West Championships in Brea, Calif. hosted by Cal State Fullerton.
The men's 8,000-meter race is set to begin at 8:45 a.m. while the women are running the 6K at 9:30 a.m at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
 On the women's side, CSUN will look to knock off defending champs, UC Santa Barbara and ruin the Gauchos' chances of a repeat. Head coach Lawrence Johnson thinks his runners will be ready for the challenge. "I think Joy Bosede, and Alyssa Segovia will have breakout performances," said Johnson. "Heidi Eligio and Katie Alvarenga have also put together some really good workouts recently in preparation for championship season. They are poised to have their best showings of the year."
The women's side has seen a few different runners pace the team so far this season. Eligio, Alvarenga and Elizabeth Silengo each has led the team at some point during the campaign, with Alvarenga pacing the women's side twice. The coaching staff believes that anyone on the team is capable of leading the pack even though Silengo will not be raunning at 100 percent. "Elizabeth has been nursing an injury for the last month, but she is as tough as they come," said Johnson. "She will be a factor when the starting gun goes off."
For the men's team, the Matadors will look to defeat defending champions Cal Poly, which has been very strong so far this season. With this being the postseason, sometimes under-the-radar student-athletes can have breakout performances. "I think Kristian Oatman, David Hidalgo, and Julian Silva are prepared to step-up in a major way for us this weekend." Johnson said.
Leading the CSUN charge will be Michael Merchan, as he looks to continue his impressive season and end his CSUN career on a high note. "I think Mike has to continue to work hard, be confident, and be the best version of himself possible," said Johnson. Merchan is coming off a the Highlander Invitational where he finished third overall and earned himself Big West Runner of the Week for the second time this year. Merchan has paced the CSUN men's team in every race so far this season. The men's side saw their best ever finish in the Big West Championships in 2017, as well as Merchan's best finish out of three tries. He finished 27th overall last year.
This will be the first Big West Conference Championship for the 13 total freshmen on the both squads. While some would be nervous getting their first taste of postseason competition, the coaching staff is confident in their rookies. "I think the key to maintaining composure for the young and inexperienced athletes is simply controlling the things that they can control and relying on the leadership of the veterans." Johnson said. "The veterans are going to lead their groups and guide the rookies."
The last time the Matadors raced on this course was the Mark Covert Classic back on Sept. 1. The men finished seventh overall paced by Merchan and the women finished 13th overall, paced by Alvarenga.
The men's 8,000-meter race is set to begin at 8:45 a.m. while the women are running the 6K at 9:30 a.m at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
 On the women's side, CSUN will look to knock off defending champs, UC Santa Barbara and ruin the Gauchos' chances of a repeat. Head coach Lawrence Johnson thinks his runners will be ready for the challenge. "I think Joy Bosede, and Alyssa Segovia will have breakout performances," said Johnson. "Heidi Eligio and Katie Alvarenga have also put together some really good workouts recently in preparation for championship season. They are poised to have their best showings of the year."
The women's side has seen a few different runners pace the team so far this season. Eligio, Alvarenga and Elizabeth Silengo each has led the team at some point during the campaign, with Alvarenga pacing the women's side twice. The coaching staff believes that anyone on the team is capable of leading the pack even though Silengo will not be raunning at 100 percent. "Elizabeth has been nursing an injury for the last month, but she is as tough as they come," said Johnson. "She will be a factor when the starting gun goes off."
For the men's team, the Matadors will look to defeat defending champions Cal Poly, which has been very strong so far this season. With this being the postseason, sometimes under-the-radar student-athletes can have breakout performances. "I think Kristian Oatman, David Hidalgo, and Julian Silva are prepared to step-up in a major way for us this weekend." Johnson said.
Leading the CSUN charge will be Michael Merchan, as he looks to continue his impressive season and end his CSUN career on a high note. "I think Mike has to continue to work hard, be confident, and be the best version of himself possible," said Johnson. Merchan is coming off a the Highlander Invitational where he finished third overall and earned himself Big West Runner of the Week for the second time this year. Merchan has paced the CSUN men's team in every race so far this season. The men's side saw their best ever finish in the Big West Championships in 2017, as well as Merchan's best finish out of three tries. He finished 27th overall last year.
This will be the first Big West Conference Championship for the 13 total freshmen on the both squads. While some would be nervous getting their first taste of postseason competition, the coaching staff is confident in their rookies. "I think the key to maintaining composure for the young and inexperienced athletes is simply controlling the things that they can control and relying on the leadership of the veterans." Johnson said. "The veterans are going to lead their groups and guide the rookies."
The last time the Matadors raced on this course was the Mark Covert Classic back on Sept. 1. The men finished seventh overall paced by Merchan and the women finished 13th overall, paced by Alvarenga.
~GoMatadors.com~
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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