Results
 
The Loyola Marymount University Lions men's and women's cross country teams traveled to Sacramento to race at the Capital Cross Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Arcade Creek Golf Course. The USTFCCCA #13 ranked men's team in the West Region placed 15^th while the women finished 17^th on Saturday morning. Both fields were stacked with nationally ranked teams at both the Division I and II levels.
 
Redshirt senior Kyla Danforth led the way for the Lions, finishing 16^th overall with a time of 21:05.8 in the race. Danforth's time was the 13^th fastest 6k run ever by an LMU woman on any 6k cross country course. Danforth wasn't the only Lion to shine at the race, eight LMU women eclipsed personal best records at Capital Cross.
 
Freshman Gabriela Hernandez's personal best time of 21:57.5 was followed by junior Dani Rowlinson's PB of 22:37.0. Next in for the Lions with a PB was junior Cynthia Melendez who crossed the line at 22:41.7 followed by sophomore Raina Hines' PB of 22:59.6.
 
On the men's side seven personal best times were eclipsed on Saturday morning. The first Lion to cross the finish line was Max Smith who's time of 24:56.7 was good for 51^st overall. This was the first time in his young career the sophomore broke the 25-minute barrier. The next four Lions to cross the finish line with PBs were junior Kyle Friedler (25:18.6) followed by freshman Cooper McCarthy (25:25.2), freshman Jacob Villegas (25:35.4) and freshman Roberto Ruelas (25:53.0). Friedler's performance was especially impressive, due to a bike accident which caused serious shoulder injury, the junior was held out of practice and competition for a few weeks leading up to the race. The gap for the Lions first five finishers was an impressive 24 seconds. 
 
The Lions will take next weekend off to train before they return to action at the Vanguard Invitational on Oct. 12 in Irvine, Calif.