Oct. 13, 2010

Stockton, Calif. - The Pacific cross country team will head to Santa Clara to participate in the Bronco Invitational Saturday, October 16th 2010. The race will be held at Baylands Park. Pacific will join 30 other schools from seven western states participating in the event.

The course is a shorter 5k race, versus the regular 6k track the Tigers have been running this season. "Last year, all of our girls set PR's (personal records) at this race, and I'm looking for our team to do the same this year," said head coach Josh Jones "the course is very flat and fast."

The race is the final invitational before nationals, which brings in a lot of participants looking to get ready for the postseason. The shorter distance can also provide an advantage. Jones is looking at certain runner's in particular to have a big day. Freshman Melissa Hopper (San Jose, Calif.), who has been adjusting to the longer courses on the season, will have an opportunity to run the much more familiar 5k race.

Freshman Cassi Rush (Gilbert, Ariz.), who set a personal record by 1:25 at the Triton Invitational in the Tigers last race, and sophomore Monica Torres (Banning, Calif.), who also set a personal record Saturday, will look to take advantage of the shorter course.

After the Bronco Invitational, the Tigers will have two weeks to prepare for the Big West Championships, held October 30th 2010 in Riverside, Calif.