CSUN Opens 2025 Cross Country Season at Waves Invitational

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN kicks off its 52nd season of men's cross country and 49th season of women's cross country this Friday at Pepperdine's Waves Invitational. The men's and women's races will be held at Alumni Park in Malibu, Calif.

The men's 6K race will begin at 5:00 p.m. while the women's 4K race will begin at 5:30 p.m. Both races are expected to conclude at 6:25 p.m.

Other Big West schools competing at the meet include Long Beach State, Cal State Bakersfield and UC Santa Barbara. Other notable schools in attendance are USC and host Pepperdine along with Cerro Coso Community College.

A GLANCE AT THE CSUN MEN'S TEAM
Senior Camilo Torres leads six returning letterwinners on the men's team. Torres led the Matadors in four different races in 2024 while setting a new 8k PR of 24:25.2, good enough for the second-best time in school history. Other returners include Thomas Achten, Cesar Cuevas, Darrick Jacob Jr., Ramiro Mateos and Ja'Patrick Smith.

There are six newcomers on the 2025 squad, including two freshmen. Newcomers include freshmen Adam Divinity and Omar Heredia, and transfers Robert Guerrero (junior), Diego Rodriguez, Elijah Stenberg (sophomore) and Raul Verges (sophomore).

The last time this team competed at the Waves Invitational in 2024, Torres recorded a personal record 6k time at the time of 18:32.4 for 11th-place points, finishing 17th overall. Cuevas was the second-fastest Matador on the day, running a time of 18:59.0 for 17th-place points and 23rd overall. Cuevas' time was also a PR and good enough for the eighth-fastest 6k time in program history.

A GLANCE AT THE CSUN WOMEN'S TEAM
Senior Ami Jacobson leads three returners on the women's side. Jacobson participated in all six races in 2024, leading the Matadors four different times in her first season with CSUN. She ran a season-best 6k time of 21:47.0 to lead CSUN at the Big West Championship (11/2/24). Other runners returning to the team this season include Sakura Divecchio and Savannah Ganter.

The women's team features eight newcomers, including seven transfers. The newcomers are as follows: Lilit Arakelyn, Yadira Arnold, Kahlai Cruser, Nadia Munoz, Citaly Ruiz, Ailani Salazar, Brianna Torres, and Zyanya Torres.

The last time this team competed at the Waves Invitational in 2024, Divecchio broke the school's 4k record with a time of 14:19.4 to finish with 23rd-place points (23rd overall).

Jacobson was also a highlight as she was the second fastest Matador with a time of 14:35.8 for 28th-place points (28th overall) in her CSUN debut.

THE ROAD AHEAD
Next, the Matadors will have two weeks off before competing at the Kim Duyst Twilight event on September 13 at River Oaks Golf Course in Ceres, Calif. CSUN then returns to action with two meets in Riverside. First, the Matadors will compete at the UC Riverside Invitational on September 27.

Then, its right back to Riverside with the Highlander Classic on October 18. Both Riverside races will be held at the UCR AG Ops Course.

#GoMatadors

CSUN Opens 2025 Cross Country Season at Waves Invitational

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Players Mentioned

Thomas Achten

Lilit Arakelyan

Yadira Arnold

Kahlai Cruser

Cesar Cuevas

Sakura Divecchio

Adam Divinity

Savannah Ganter

Robert Guerrero

Omar Heredia

Ami Jacobson

Ramiro Mateos

Nadia Munoz

Diego Rodriguez

Ja'Patrick Smith

Elijah Stenberg

Brianna Torres

Camilo Torres

Zyanya Torres

Ailani Valiente

Raul Verges