MADISON, Wis. - The California cross country teams took to the course for the third time this season as the team split the squad between the Nuttycombe Invitational and the Bronco Invitational. The Bears sent a strong squad to Wisconsin to face off with some of the top ranked teams in the country at the Nuttycombe Invitational on Friday afternoon at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.   

The women placed 15th, while the men took 31st in their trip to the Midwest.  

For the women, senior standout Bethan Knights led the Bears with her second top-ten finish this season.  She placed eighth, running a 19:55.3 among top talents like sophomore Ednah Kurgat (19:23.2) from New Mexico and Charlotte Taylor (19:40.2) from University of San Francisco. Freshman Brie Oakley continued her outstanding debut campaign as she placed 26th and was one of the top five freshman finishers in the field.  Oakley crossed the line in 20:19.1  The duo made Cal one of just five schools to have two runners cross the line in under 20:20.

"The women's 15th place finish placed them among many of the top ranked teams in the nation," cross country head coach Shayla Houlihan said. "Today wasn't perfect for them, which provides an opportunity for us to continue to grow and work through adversity that comes from running in a giant competitive field. Bethan had a phenomenal race with some of the nation's best women. She is continuing to look strong against some of the best in the world."

Trent Brendel led the men as he placed 109th against runners from the top teams in the nation. The Bears faced off against more than twenty ranked teams in the men's competition. 

"The men had a rough day today," Houlihan said. "We took a chance and ran a more aggressive race plan early on. We ended up not feeling the greatest after that aggressive start. I'm confident that these men will come back stronger in the races to come. Both teams continue to learn and become students of the sport, the best is yet to come."

On Saturday, the Bears traveled to Santa Clara to participate in the Bronco Invitational. The women placed 14th overall, lead by junior Marissa William's 32nd place finish (21:18.5).  The men did not compete as a team in this meet, but their participants included Max Leach (67th), Nikolaus Moore (132nd) and Charles Sherman (137th). 

California now has 13 days to rest before the Pac-12 Championships, where both teams will face tough competition against Colorado (no. 1 women/no. 7 men), Oregon (2/8) and Washington (11/RV). Keep updated on all things Cal cross country by following the team on Twitter (@CalTFXC), Instagram (@CalTrackCC) and on Facebook (CalTFXC).