Bove leads dominant effort by Mustangs in men’s 8-kilometer race, securing crown in 23:37.4 in conference finals debut; Cal Poly produces thrilling comeback from 12-point deficit to overcome UC Davis sweep of top three spots in women’s 6-kilometer competition, including Atkins taking title in 19:52.5

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

NIPOMO, Calif. – Cal Poly made a statement with its strength in the first kilometer of the men’s race Friday at the Big West Conference Cross Country Championships.

The Mustangs left everyone in attendance at Blacklake Golf Resort talking about their resilience in the final kilometer of the women’s competition, contributing to one of the most memorable comebacks in meet history.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS

Cal Poly led from wire to wire in the men’s 8-kilometer race, placing four athletes in the top six to secure a 27-87 triumph against UC Santa Barbara, led by a victory in 23 minutes, 37.4 seconds from graduate student-athlete and LSU transfer Davis Bove.

The Mustangs overcame a 12-point deficit in the final stretch of the women’s 6-kilometer competition, rallying with their depth to offset a UC Davis sweep of the top three spots, including a victory in 19:52.5 by senior Sierra Atkins, in order to prevail by a 39-58 margin.

Both Cal Poly teams repeated as conference champions, with the men’s team winning for the 19th time in the past 25 finals and the women’s program securing a ninth championship.

The Mustangs also achieved the same feat by sweeping both titles the last time they hosted the Big West championship meet in 2013 at the Fairbanks Cross Country Course.

UC Davis, the 2021 women’s championship team, led through the 5-kilometer split, and appeared to have established the foundation for another title with Atkins being supported by last year’s winner Brianna Weidler taking second in 20:09.8 and Dani Barrett surging late to secure third in 20:29.9.

Atkins became the third female athlete in UC Davis history to secure a conference crown, along with Sarah Sumpter in 2009 and Weidler.

But Cal Poly responded with Schuyler Gooley finishing fourth in 20:34.0, followed by Hana Catsimanes (20:45.8) earning sixth, Tatiana Cornejo (20:52.5) placing seventh and Carissa Buchholz (21:02.9) moving up four spots to grab eighth.

Riley Cash (21:29.9) and Isabel Sanchez (21:32.7) were 14th and 15th for the Mustangs, who had freshman Sydney Sundgren achieve 22nd in 21:49.7 and Ellie Baxter take 26th in 21:53.6.

Hope Bergmark was 20th in 21:45.6 for UC Davis, which had Stormy Wallace capture 33rd in 22:10.4, as Madison Kackley was unable to finish in the top 50 after being in position to earn all-conference honors through the 5-kilometer mark.

Linda Perez overcame illness to finish fifth in 20:43.5 for UC Riverside, which took third with 87 points.

Sameen Andar grabbed ninth in 21:03.2 for UC Irvine, which placed fifth at 101 points.

Jicel Fernandez Ramirez earned 10th in 21:04.3 for Cal State Fullerton, which finished fourth with 101 points.

There was no suspense when it came to Cal Poly repeating as men’s champions, with the Mustangs grabbing the top six spots following the first kilometer and never relinquishing control.

Although William Fallini-Haas, last year’s runner-up, was unable to complete the race after withdrawing before the midway point as a result of a twisted ankle, Cal Poly continued to showcase its depth throughout the competition.

Aidan McCarthy followed Bove – the 14th individual winner for the Mustangs in the past 25 championship meets – by finishing second in 23:41.6, with Anthony Guerra placing fifth in 24:03.2, Spencer Pickren securing sixth in 24:07.6, freshman Christopher Caudillo achieving 13th in 24:27.1 and Oscar Gomez right behind in 14th in 24:27.9.

Colton Swinth grabbed 21st in 24:40.9 and Michael Chambers placed 34th in 25:16.4 for Cal Poly.

Ethan Godsey followed a fourth-place effort last season by taking third for runner-up UC Santa Barbara in 23:45.2.

UC Riverside had Ashraf Abdelmagid (24:01.6) and Andrew Castellon (24:14.1) secure fourth and seventh, respectively, as the Highlanders placed fourth with 94 points.

Alexis Garcia earned eighth in 24:15.4 for Cal State Fullerton, which took third with 89 points.

Ethan Brooks of UC Davis was ninth in 24:16.6, with the Aggies finishing fifth at 129 points.

Lukas Amare took 10th in 24:17.8 for UC Irvine, as the Anteaters secured seventh with 141 points.