CERES, Calif. – University of California, Merced cross country opened its 2025 season at Kim Duyst Twilight on Saturday night at River Oaks Golf Course, hosted by Stanislaus State.

The men's 8k race was first and the Bobcats were led by Draven Grondona in his collegiate cross country debut. He crossed the finish line in 26:25.3, good for the ninth fastest Kim Duyst Twilight time in program history. Grondona finished 121^st in the field of 222 runners, which is the  biggest field the Bobcats have seen in this meet. The field was more than double the size of the last two years in Ceres.

Jorge Mandujano was the Bobcats next finisher with a PR time of 26:58.5, also good for tenth in program history at Kim Duyst. He finished 148^th in the field. Sergio Vivar Jr. was one spot behind in a PR time of 27:01.9. Kevin Pedroza (160^th/27:43.8) and Jalen Morales (166^th/27:59.0) were the Bobcats fourth and fifth scorers. Morales' race was his cross country debut. The men's team placed 14^th out of 17 teams. Kitto Gonzalez and Sammy Leyva made their collegiate debut. Alberto Guevara also raced.

Irene Martinez led the charge for the Bobcats in the women's 6k race running a time of 23:23.3, good for 101^st in the field of 152. Similar to the men's field, the women's field was more than double in recent history. Her time was the second fastest in her career.

Brigette Trujillo impressed in her collegiate debut crossing the finish line in 23:44.4 to take over the ninth fastest 6k time in program history. She finished 115^th in the field. Also of note, her time was the third fastest of any Bobcat all-time at Kim Duyst Twilight. Kasia Holland raced to a PR time and the tenth fastest Kim Duyst Twilight time for the Bobcats all-time in 24:47.2 She placed 132^nd. Mariah Dhillon followed in 25:13.1 and placed 135^th in her collegiate debut. Mia Abonza was next in 27:52.6 to finish 146^th.  UC Merced finished 13^th out of 14 teams.

Next up, UC Merced will compete at the TMU XC Invitational on Saturday, September 20 at Central Park in Santa Clarita, Calif.