Balsan, Flores pace GCU runners

Saturday, October 13

Sunnyvale, Calif.

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Bronco Invitational

10/13/2018 3:42:00 PM | Cross Country

Results

Lopes compete for final time before WAC Championships

By: Fletcher Like

SUNNYVALE, Calif. — The Grand Canyon cross country team took the final step toward the WAC Championships with fast times at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. The women finished in seventh place as a team, while the men finished eighth.

The women faced a strong field with the winning school, Oregon State, receiving votes in the national coaches poll.

"Both teams, as a whole, ran really well," GCU head coach Sara Slattery said. "The women's race was much deeper with regionally ranked teams, and they ran a lot better than two weeks ago in Sacramento."

Junior Elizabeth Balsan was the Lopes' top finisher, crossing 21st with a time of 20 minutes, 57.4 seconds. Balsan's time was 40 seconds faster than last season and just four seconds off the school record set last season.

"Liz ran really well," Slattery said. "That was the strongest and best race I have seen her race in the three years she has been at GCU."

Lopes junior Paige Hildebrandt finished 25th with a time of 21:02.7. The top five finishers for GCU had a spread of 1:00.3.

GCU senior Daniel Flores led the men for the third straight meet, covering 8 kilometers in 24:51.1 and finishing 24th. Freshman teammate Blake Bennett crossed in 24:49.7 with freshman Anthony Haren finishing 0.4 seconds behind him at 24:50.1

"We sent Daniel and the two freshmen out aggressively at the start, and they looked good after being sick all last week," Slattery said. "We are all moving in the right direction.

"Another good step toward competition at the WAC Championships. We look strong and feel confident as we sharpen up for the last couple meets of the year. Overall, I'm very pleased. I would give it a B-plus for the day."