Bulldog Trio Represents Redlands at NCAA Cross Country Championships

Bulldog Trio Represents Redlands at NCAA Cross Country Championships

Three members of the University of Redlands cross country teams competed in the 2018 NCAA Division III Championships on Saturday morning in frigid Winneconne, Wisconsin. While taking on a weather-beaten course at Lake Breeze Golf Club, the Bulldogs ran their hearts out in the final meet of the season.

While making her second national appearance, junior Maria Ramirez (Orange, CA) produced a time of 22:45.3 for 128th place overall among the 6K competitors.  She averaged a 6:06-mile and finished less than two minutes behind the champion in the high-caliber event that included the best of the best.

Junior Tucker Cargile (Denver, CO) posted an 8K-time of 25:49.4 to come in 140th overall in his first trip to nationals for cross country.  He ran an average mile of 5:11.7 and completed the race just 1:25.4 behind the leader. 

Senior Joseph Esparza (Arcata, CA) left it all on the course in his final cross-country opportunity by crossing the finish line in 26:03.4 for 186th place.  His average mile was just three seconds behind Cargile while the gap from the lead was 1:39.4.  This was a significant improvement from his inaugural experience at the NCAA Championships a year ago, as he shaved off nearly 35 seconds and climbed 59 places in the standings.

All in all, the high level of competition provided an exciting race for all three Bulldogs.