Sept. 3, 2011
SAN FRANCISCO - The Stanford cross-country teams opened the season at the USF Invitational at Golden Gate Park. Running limited teams, the Stanford men won the meet, while the women placed second.
The Cardinal men edged California for the meet title, scoring 27 points to the Golden Bears 32. Brendan Gregg returned from action after a redshirt season and showed top form, winning the 8,000-meter race in 24:23. Gregg redshirted last season after suffering an injury in preseason, but is back for his fifth year in 2011.
Also running well was Tyler Stutzman who placed third in 24:36. He was joined in the top 10 by JT Sullivan, Andrew Berberick and Kevin Havel. Sullivan was sixth in 24:40, while Berberick was ninth (24:48) and Havel was 10th (24:57).
The rest the seven Stanford runners raced closed together, finishing 15th, 16th and 17th. Michael Atchoo led the group in 25:08, while Kenny Krotzer (25:10) and Travis Edwards (25:11) were not far behind.
The final Cardinal runner was Tyler Valdes, who placed 26th in 25:52.
The Cardinal women placed second with 41 points as California won the meet with 21. Stanford raced just seven with only Stephanie Marcy that has been one of the top runners in seasons past. Marcy led Stanford, finishing third overall, covering the 5,000-meter course in 17:20.
Marcy was joined in the top five by Victoria Pennings who placed fifth with a time of 17:44. Pennings is a fourth-year junior who is hoping to make an impact this season.
Rounding out the scoring for the Cardinal were Madeline Duhon, Tate Murray and Kristin Reese. Duhon finished 10th with a time of 18:31 and was immediately followed by her two teammates. Murray was 11th in 18:37, while Reese with 12th with a time of 18:38.
Also competing for the Cardinal were Emilie Amaro who was 18th in 18:58 and Sophia Ginez who placed 23rd in 19:13.
The Cardinal will now travel to Lake Tahoe for its annual training camp. Two and half weeks of altitude training and team building will occupy the team's time before returning to campus for the start of school and its first full meet, the Stanford Invitational on September 24.