COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sharvin Manjrekar earned All-American honors and the University of California, Merced cross country teams competed at the NAIA Cross Country Championships on Friday morning.
Manjrekar placed 30th overall with a personal-best time of 24:33.8 to become the third All-American in program history. His 8k time is the second fastest in program history, while it is the fastest of any Bobcat all-time at the NAIA Championship. Manjrekar shaved 40 seconds off his previous PR. The Dublin, Calif., native joins Anthony Tyler and Jonathan Chavez as the three All-Americans in program history. Manjrekar's 30th place finish was the best for UC Merced since 2018.
UC Merced's men's and women's teams both finished 31st in the 8k and 6k national championship race, respectively. Friday marked the first ever NAIA Championship action for the women's team, while it was the first for the men's side since 2018. Prior to 2024, the Bobcats had individual qualifiers every year dating back to 2014.
After Manjrekar, Joshua Riley crossed the finish line in 237th clocking a time of 26:12.3. Cole Rommelfanger (259th/26:30.3), Derrick Pickrel (278th/26:48.4), and Kevin Pedroza (299th/27:39.2) rounded out the Bobcats scoring lineup. Riley, Rommelfanger, and Pickrel's times were top ten times for the program at the national meet.
Jorge Mandujano (301st/27:43.8) and Alberto Alves (303rd/27:52.2) also crossed the finish line for UC Merced.
Elizette Ysais led the charge for the women finishing 116th with a time 22:54.3. It was her second best finish in her five NAIA Championship races and she has been the Bobcats top finisher in all five. She is the only Bobcat in program history to race in five national championships.
Irene Martinez cracked the top 200, checking in 187th crossing the finish line in 23:30.8. Her finish was the best ever by a UC Merced freshman at nationals.
Leslie Aquino (218th/23:51.1) was third for UC Merced followed by Jaydah Aguilar (276th/24:49.7) and Kasia Holland (288th/25:15.4). Aquino and Holland set personal-best times.
Jailyn Batis also set a personal-best crossing the finish line 292nd in a time of 25:26.8. Mia Abonza (307th/26:50.3) also ran for the Bobcats.
College of Idaho claimed the men's team title with 87 points and The Master's University won the women's title with 92 points. Individually, Oklahoma City's Evert Silva took home the men's title in 23:14. Jaynie Halterman of Taylor University finished first in the women's race, becoming a champion in 20:24.7.
Up next, the Bobcats turn their attention to outdoor track season in the spring. Stay up to date with UC Merced cross country and track by following the team on social media @ucmercedxctrack.
