LBSU Begins 2025 Cross Country Season Friday

Friday, August 29

Malibu, Calif.

Men 5 p.m. I Women 5:45 p.m.

Long Beach State University

Waves Invite

Photo by: Image Copyright - Donald Jedlovec

8/28/2025 10:01:00 AM | Cross Country

Long Beach State travels to Pepperdine

By: Matt Turk, Associate Athletic Communications Director

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR THE BEACH
MEET 1
Long Beach State at the Waves Invitational
Fri., Aug. 29 • Men's 6k • 5 p.m. • Women's 4k • 5:45 p.m.
Malibu, Calif. • Alumni Park
Live Stats

AT THE START
Long Beach State officially opens the 2025 cross country season Friday afternoon at Pepperdine's Waves Invitational.
Competing alongside The Beach will be Cal State Bakersfield, CSUN, Cerro Coso CC, Pepperdine, and UC Santa Barbara.

LBSU MEN'S OUTLOOK
The Beach men return seven athletes for the 2025 campaign, led by several experienced veterans:

Brandon Day (Jr.) – Competed in three meets in 2024; set a 6K-best of 19:23.0 (30th at Waves Invite), an 8K-best of 25:50.5 at UC Riverside, and finished 83rd at the Big West Championships.
Ethan Florez (Sr.) – Ran three 8Ks last year, including a career-best 26:23.9 at the Big West Championships (82nd). Competed in the 10K at NCAA West Regionals (34:17.8).
Cameron Gill (Sr.) – Competed in all five events; recorded a 6K-best of 18:48.8 (20th at Waves Invite) and an 8K-best of 24:57.8. Finished 59th at the Big West Championships.
Cristian Martinez (Sr.) – Limited to one race in 2024 but placed seventh at the Waves Invite (17:53.5).
Kyle Reden (Gr.) – Transfer from Riverside City College. Competed in five meets last season, highlighted by a 10K-best of 32:22.5 at the NCAA West Regionals.
Cameron Rhone (Jr.) – The Beach's top finisher at the Big West Championships (35th, 24:46.8). Placed eighth at the Waves Invite (17:54.0).
Levi Taylor (Jr.) – Posted a season-best 8K of 24:34.8 at UC Riverside and led LBSU at NCAA Regionals with a 10K time of 31:38.8.

Newcomers:

Miles Jones (So.) – Former Cal Poly club runner; two-time CIF Oakland Section champion at Oakland Tech.
Max Ramirez (Fr.) – Millikin HS standout; posted prep bests of 15:32.7 (5K) and 14:47.4 (3M).

LBSU WOMEN'S OUTLOOK
The Beach women's roster features 10 athletes, including six returners and four newcomers.

Marikay Schwab (Gr.) – Named Big West Athlete of the Week (Sept. 3, 2024) after winning the Waves Invite in 13:04. Posted the 7th-fastest 6K in school history (20:40.7). Finished 41st at the Big West Championships and 104th at NCAA West Regionals.
Alyssa Tapanes (Sr.) – Competed in all five races; placed 26th at the Waves Invite (14:31.3) and ran a season-best 6K of 21:46.6 at Big West Championships.
Nataly Toledo (Sr.) – Ran twice in 2024; recorded a 5K-best of 18:44.1 at UC Riverside.
Natasha King (Jr.) – Ran a career-best 6K of 22:31.4 at the Big West Championships (77th).
Jadyn Palaschuk (Jr.) – Season-best 6K of 22:00.1 at UC Riverside; 65th at Big West Championships.
Brooke Willoughby (Jr.) – Posted a 4K-best of 14:05.3 (18th at Waves Invite) and a 6K-best of 22:10.5 at Big West Championships.

Freshmen:

Sharice Laygo – Two-time All-League selection at Northwood HS.
Darcy Ray – Team MVP at University City HS.
Elisa Rodriguez – Wilson HS product; 2024 Moore League JV champion in the 3M (20:52.9).
Elena Windsor – Gahr HS graduate; posted prep bests of 23:17.1 (2.93M) and 22:43.0 (5K).

~#LongBeachState~