Cross country determined to raise the bar at UCLA Double Dual

UCLA cross country will make the short trip to the Brookside Golf Course at the Rose Bowl thismorning, as the Bruins host their one and only home meet of the season.

The Bruins’ event – the UCLA Double Dual – is two-fold, with the men racing against alumni and Cerritos College in an 8K, while the women duel USC in a 6K.

The history of the men’s program will be celebrated at the meet, as the team will honor athletes from the ’80s who helped shape the cross country program that exists today.

Hall of Fame coach Bob Larsen will be honored for his role in leading UCLA to two conference and NCAA District 8 titles and six NCAA appearances.

In addition to Larsen, All-Americans Ron Cornell, Jon Butler, Dave Daniels and Steve Ortiz, who made major contributions to the team in the early ’80s, will be recognized.

“I think it’s important for us as a team to recognize the bar that they’ve set,” said freshman Richard Ho. “They proved that distance running could be very effective at UCLA. We’re trying to reach the bar they set as well as move the bar even higher.”

While the men reflect on the past, the women’s squad is determined to make some history of its own, as it faces USC for the first time in a dual meet.

“We’re all excited to race against ‘SC,” said redshirt junior Paisley Pettway. “They are our rival, and we get to race them on our home track. Everyone feels like we have to do good, and we will.”

In addition to being hyped up to compete against the Trojans, the Bruins say racing at the Rose Bowl is another thing to be excited about.

“Having a home meet, you get your high school coaches, high school teammates, people in the community and students to come out and support. The Rose Bowl is our home. It’s Bruin country out there and everyone is excited to race in front of the home crowd,” said coach Forest Braden.