Cross Country Teams Impress in Santa Barbara
The girls squad led the charge for the Tartans at the Gaucho Invitiational.
The Tartan cross country program opened the 2024 season at the Gaucho Invitational in Santa Barbara this past weekend, picking up right where they left off in last year's CIF title run.
Junior Joyce Li led the championship division wire-to-wire to post a 9-second victory over Morrow Bay standout Shelby Taylor. Li covered the double loop 5K course at the UCSB Lagoon in 19:33. The girls team finished second to Harvard Westlake, a state finalist in 2023, with Sarah Bendzick finishing 6th (19:58). Freshman Heidi Beshk closed well over the final mile to finish 10th in 20:03.
"We knew we had some very talented freshmen this year by the quality of their summer work, but they also proved highly competitive," said Tartan head coach Patrick Bendzick. "The Gaucho Invitational has some of the top teams in Ventura County, and our freshmen went right after the entire field without hesitation."
Led by a pair of sophomores, the boys team displayed a level of depth that should make them a contender in the CIF Championships. Zach Causee clocked in at 16:54 and was followed closely by teammate Samarth Wadhwa at 16:55. The team posted a 1-5 gap of 1:02 and will be looking to reduce that to under 45 seconds as they head into the championship season.
The Tartans will compete next at the Laguna Hills Invitational on Saturday, September 14.
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Junior Joyce Li led the championship division wire-to-wire to post a 9-second victory over Morrow Bay standout Shelby Taylor. Li covered the double loop 5K course at the UCSB Lagoon in 19:33. The girls team finished second to Harvard Westlake, a state finalist in 2023, with Sarah Bendzick finishing 6th (19:58). Freshman Heidi Beshk closed well over the final mile to finish 10th in 20:03.
"We knew we had some very talented freshmen this year by the quality of their summer work, but they also proved highly competitive," said Tartan head coach Patrick Bendzick. "The Gaucho Invitational has some of the top teams in Ventura County, and our freshmen went right after the entire field without hesitation."
Led by a pair of sophomores, the boys team displayed a level of depth that should make them a contender in the CIF Championships. Zach Causee clocked in at 16:54 and was followed closely by teammate Samarth Wadhwa at 16:55. The team posted a 1-5 gap of 1:02 and will be looking to reduce that to under 45 seconds as they head into the championship season.
The Tartans will compete next at the Laguna Hills Invitational on Saturday, September 14.
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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