For the first time in program history, the Bears are set to compete at ACC championships in Cary, North Carolina. The meet marks the beginning of a new era for the blue and gold. Hosted by the fearsome NC State Wolfpack, The Bears will face some of the toughest competition the East Coast has to offer on Nov. 1. Throughout the season, Cal has competed in a variety of meets, from the local USF Invitational to the distinguished Roy Griak Invitational in Minnesota.
“I’ve had ACC (championships) in the back of my mind since day one of practice,” said Addie Johnson, the top finisher on the women’s side. She emphasized the effort that the Bears have poured into their preparation for the championship series. Last fall, Cal saw the sun set on the Pac-12 at the championships in Washington. The men brought home fifth place — their best team finish since 2011. For the women’s unit, it finished in eighth.
This time around, The Bears will go up against a larger contingent of ranked opponents, including No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 7 Wake Forest, No 10. NC State and No. 12 Syracuse. The word “fearsome” for the Wolfpack is fitting. Since 2016, NC State’s women have claimed the ACC championship trophy eight times consecutively. Their decorated cross country program boasts 29 ACC championship titles, and five national championships — three of which have come since 2021.
With the women ranked No. 1 and the men No. 8 in the Southeast region, the Wolfpack will seek to defend their territory. But despite its strong program history, a recent seventh-place finish at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals saw NC State drop down to No. 10 nationally. Considered a lull for such a storied program, the sudden drop provides a glimmer of hope for the Bears.
Top Competitors
As for the men’s side, No. 7 Wake Forest is an especially formidable opponent. Ranked first in the Southeast region, the Demon Deacons most recently impressed by winning the Panorama Farms Invitational in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ranked second in the Great Lakes region and 10th nationally, will also provide fierce competition. Cal will face one familiar foe at ACC championships: the Cardinal. No. 5 on the men’s side and No. 15 on the women’s side, Stanford has enjoyed a stellar season as shown by its complete domination of the Gans Creek Classic.
The Cardinal men recently finished third at the Wisconsin Pre-Nationals, and at the season-opening USF Invitational, the Stanford women’s squad bested the Bears, coming in first place. Its men’s squad lagged behind Cal, taking fifth place.
Bears Eyeing National Statement
During their last time out as a team, the Bears won ninth place at the Bill Dellinger Invitational in Springfield, Oregon. Several Bears also competed unattached to the school at the local Bronco Invitational, demonstrating their individual skills and prowess. In Oregon, graduate student Carrick Denker and sophomore Addie Johnson set the pace by clinching a pair of top-20 finishes. They excelled in a highly competitive field, battling against opponents from No. 2 BYU to No. 17 Oregon. Johnson crushed her personal record of 21:11.4 — along with seven other women on the team also recording personal records or season bests.
Cal is now set on accomplishing its overarching goal of the season by asserting itself nationally for the first time in the ACC. “For me, it’s about having confidence in myself at ACCs because this is my first time this season running against girls that are some of the fastest in the country,” Johnson said. “The team is excited to show the ACC what’s up.”
Bears Ready to Prove Themselves
The Bears have been steadily improving throughout the season, and they are ready to prove themselves on the national stage. They are looking to make a statement at the ACC Championships, and they are confident that they can achieve their goals. While the competition will be tough, the Bears are up for the challenge. They are excited to compete against some of the best runners in the country, and they are determined to make their mark on the ACC.
