The University of California San Diego Tritons men’s and women’s cross country teams are set to compete at the Saint Mary’s Invitational on September 18, 2026. The men’s 8000-meter race will start at 8:45 a.m., followed by the women’s 6000-meter race at 9:30 a.m., both hosted at Newhall Park in Concord, California, with parking available on Turtle Creek Road on-site.
Last year around this time, the Tritons opened their season at the Texas A&M Invitational, where the men’s team finished second and the women’s team took third place. This season marks UC San Diego’s third year of Division I postseason eligibility. The Tritons will compete in the Big West Championships on October 31 in Riverside, California, after placing third for the women and sixth for the men in 2025.
Sylvana Northrop became the first Triton in the Division I era to win an individual championship last season, securing All-Conference honors. She was joined by teammates Dasha LeFaivre and Emma Dunmire, both of whom earned All-Big West recognition for finishing in the top ten.
The Tritons will also participate in the NCAA West Regional Championships on November 13 in Sacramento, which serve as qualifiers for the NCAA Championships scheduled for November 21 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
The women’s roster features 20 athletes, including 16 returning runners and four newcomers: freshmen Avery Carlson, Anna Desormeau, Delaney Napierala, and graduate transfer Elle Marsyla. The men’s team includes 14 athletes, with 10 returners and four newcomers: freshmen Wyatt Boling, Ryan Chen, Marco Franco, and graduate transfer Ben Borchers. The majority of the 34 runners, 28 in total, are California natives. The group includes two graduate students and a mix of class years from freshmen to seniors.
Head coach Nate Garcia leads the program in his 20th season as head coach and 25th overall on the coaching staff. He is assisted by Meriah Earle, now in her fifth season with the Tritons.
CSB Take
The UC San Diego Tritons’ participation in the Saint Mary’s Invitational offers an early opportunity to measure their readiness and build momentum for the challenging season ahead. With key athletes returning and promising newcomers joining the roster, the Tritons aim to improve upon their strong performances from the previous year. Their sights remain firmly set on achieving success at the Big West Championships and advancing through the NCAA postseason. Under experienced coaching leadership, the Tritons are positioned to continue their ascent in Division I cross country competition.
Source: Original report
