The University of California, Santa Barbara men’s cross country team will compete at the 47th annual Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Friday, September 26, 2026. Hosted by Loyola University Chicago, the meet will be held at Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course in Chicago, marking UCSB’s first competition in the Midwest this season.
The men’s 8k race is scheduled to begin at 7:40 a.m. under sunny skies, with a forecasted high temperature of 68 degrees and winds around 6 mph. The event features strong competition from programs representing the Big Ten and SEC conferences.
The Gauchos enter the meet coming off a first-place team finish at the Kim Duyst Invitational, where Manny Correia led the men’s team with a personal best 8k time of 24:33.9. Will Mulliken and Camden Luecht also posted personal bests, finishing close behind Correia. UCSB placed three runners between sixth and eighth with several others in the top 20, securing a 41-point victory.
After the Loyola Lakefront Invitational, UCSB will have three weeks before their next competition, the Highlander Invitational on October 17. The Gauchos will then prepare for the Big West Championships scheduled for October 31 at the University of California, Riverside.
CSB Take
UC Santa Barbara’s participation in the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational represents an important early-season test against competitive programs outside their usual conference rivals. Facing strong teams from the Big Ten and SEC will challenge the Gauchos’ depth and endurance, vital as they seek to build on their recent success at the Kim Duyst Invitational. This opportunity to compete in the Midwest can help the team gain valuable experience and momentum heading into the heart of the season, culminating in the Big West Championships.
Source: Original report
