Blake Races to Conference and National Weekly Awards
After a down-to-the-wire win at the Cougar Challenge, UC San Diego senior Sam Blake has been tabbed as CCAA Runner of the Week for Sept. 9-15.
The redshirt senior from Campell edged out runner-up Anthony Raftis of Queens (N.C.), a 2018 NCAA All-American selection, by nine-tenths of a second to earn his first career individual victory. Crossing the line with a personal-best mark of 24:11.0, Blake helped the Tritons to third place in the team standings of the 8,000-meter race at the Cougar Challenge.
Along with earning conference acclaim, Blake’s performance has netted him USTFCCCA Division II Cross Country Athlete of the Week status. This is the first time that an athlete from UC San Diego has been named National Athlete of the Week during the cross country season.
After an idle week, the Tritons travel to Sacramento to compete in the Capital Cross Challenge on Saturday, Sept. 28. Held at the site of the 2019 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, the field at Haggin Oaks is sure to be stacked with talent as top teams across the country get a look at the site of 2019’s final race.
Also nominated:
Trad Berti, Chico State
Joshua Litwiller, Cal State San Marcos
Cristhian Macias, Stanislaus State