California Golden Bears Athletics
California
USF Invitational
Cross Country Opens 2026 Season At USF Invitational
9/2/2026 10:00 AM | Cross Country
Bears Run In First Meet Of Season At Golden Gate Park
California cross country will begin the 2026 campaign Friday at the USF Invitational in San Francisco. The Golden Bears will travel across the Bay Bridge to Hellman Hollow in Golden Gate Park. The men's 8,000-meter race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. PT, followed by the women's 6,000-meter race at 3:30 p.m.
This year marks the 33rd edition of the race, with Cal participating for more than two decades. Last year, both the men's and women's teams finished third overall.
On the men's side, senior Justin Pretre won the 2025 title, marking the second consecutive year a member of the California cross country team claimed the men's title. Four Bears finished in the top 40, including alumnus Caden Carney, who ran 24:53.1 to finish eighth. Junior Zac Gibson placed 38th, while senior Alexander Lodewick finished 40th.
On the women's side, seven Bears finished in the top 40, including two in the top 10. Senior Addie Johnson led Cal with a fourth-place finish in 20:42.3, followed by senior Sophie Tau in seventh. Juniors Sarah Perkins and Sabine Kim finished 27th and 28th, respectively. Sophomore Lily Montilla placed 29th in 22:06.6, followed by senior Anastasia Snodgrass in 38th.
Following the USF Invitational, Cal will compete in the St. Mary's Invitational in Moraga on Sept. 18.
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