IRVINE, CALIF.- The Concordia University Irvine cross country teams delivered impressive performances at the UAH Chargers Invitational in Huntsville, Alabama, showcasing their talent and determination against some of the best D2 teams in the country.

The men's team showcased their racing strategy and teamwork, finishing 4th overall. Starting in 7th place at the 2300m mark, they executed a well-planned strategy to climb to 6th by the 5000m mark. Leading the pack were Noah Plaza, Fernando Aguirre, and Colin Bervig, all finishing in the top 50. Marcus Shin made a significant impact as well, achieving a personal best with a time of 25:29.9, placing 95th. Spencer Handorf also delivered a strong performance, recording a 10 second PR at 24:51.7.

"Men's team really executed our race plan well and put themselves in a great position to finish strong," added Coach Bloomfield. "Noah and Nano continue to lead effectively, and I'm proud of the entire team's progress."

The women's team matched the men's energy, finishing 6th out of 34 colleges and securing the 2nd spot in the West Region. They showcased a strong top five, with four runners breaking into the top 50 and the fifth just nine spots behind. Mariza Chavez and Claudia Vera stepped up, demonstrating strength and resilience throughout the race. 

"This group is building momentum, and the best is yet to come," added Bloomfield."Priscella Gomez is also making great strides, and I'm excited to see how they continue to develop."

With these solid performances at the UAH Chargers Invitational, the Golden Eagles are set to take on the next challenge. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, and come out to support the teams at the PacWest Conference Championships at the OC Great Park in Irvine.

For the full CUI women's cross country schedule, CLICK HERE

For the full CUI men's cross country schedule, CLICK HERE