RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Sep. 17, 2022) – With a full, competitive field of runners, a fast course and ideal conditions, Caltech cross country made strides in their second meet of the 2022 season Saturday morning. 

The hosts describe their course as deceptive, with a drop in elevation in over the first mile and a half before a long climb back up to the finish. The Beavers competed in the men's open 8k and the women's open 5k races against other SCIAC schools as well as programs ranging up to NCAA Division I. 

"The women's team worked together really well in this race," Head Coach Kelli Blake said. "It was an encouraging start."

Indeed, the women placed sixth in the event, with sophomore Sophia Dalfonzo (Fairhaven, N.J. / Rumson Regional) finishing first for Caltech with a 18:42.7 time, followed by graduate students Maria Carilli (Socorro, N.M. / Univ. of Colorado Boulder) and Margaret Trautner (Houston, Texas / MIT).  Newcomer Virginia Pistilli (Portola Valley, Calif. / Woodside) posted a lifetime-best 5k time, and graduate Lauren Conger (Tucson, Ariz. / Cornell University) ran well for the start of her final season. 

Full women's results here

Junior Kyle Lethander (Oakwood, Ohio / Oakwood) was the first Beaver across the finish line in the men's 8k, posting a 26:25.3 time and followed by classmate Joey Litvin (Ardmore, Pa. / Lower Merion) and senior Guarav Phanse (Fremont, Calif. / Dublin). Sophomores Miles Jones (San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Bernardo) and Jonathan Bennett (Englewood, Colo. / Kent Denver) and senior Patrick Martinez (Fullerton, Calif. / Troy) all posted personal-best 8k times. Coach Blake felt the summer foundation was present, and she's confident the team will continue improving throughout the season.

Full men's results here

The Beavers are right back at it this Saturday, Sep. 24 at the CSU San Marcos Cougar Challenge. Follow the team on Twitter and Instagram, and find full information at www.GoCaltech.com