Are you interested in cross country history? Do you want to know more about this sport at the University of California Irvine? Read our guide to get the facts and learn more…
The University of California Irvine has a long history of Cross Country excellence. From Big West Coach of the Year to Big West Women’s Cross Country Team Champion this school team has awards and honors which date back decades. The year 1983 started a long and historic run of wins and honors for Cross Country and the University of California Irvine. Many of the years between then and now have been filled with accomplishments.
Coach of the Year
Coach Vince O’Boyle has brought a lot of recognition to the cross country team at the University of California Irvine. For nine years in a row, from 1983 until 1992 he was named the Big West Coach of the year. He has also won this title three more times, in 1995, 1999, and 2005. Coach O’Boyle is not just known for this honor though, but also the fact that he has managed to produce many Big West Athlete of the Year and Big West Athlete of the Week winners during his career at the school. Amanda Armstrong, Laura Olvera, and Tessa Cendejas have all been named Big West Athletes of the Week at three times, and this is a reflection on their coach as well as their skills. Laura Olvera also was named as the Big West Freshman of the Year, bringing plenty of glory to the University of California Irvine and cross country history.
Athlete of the Year
The cross country team at the University of California in Irvine has produced plenty of Athlete of the Year awards in history. From 1983 until 1991 a team member at this school was given the honor of Big West Athlete of the Year. Lisa Gonzales was named in 1983, and until 1992 the award stayed at the University of California at Irvine. Buffy Stirling and Buffy Rabbitt both were named Big West Athlete of the Year more than once. The cross country team here is historically strong, and the school offers tremendous support for the program. This allows the athletes to become the best they possibly can.
Women’s Cross Country Team Champions
The women’s cross country team at the University of California in Irvine has been named Big West Team Champions numerous times in the past twenty eight years. There was a six year stretch when the team were champions the entire time. UC Irvine won the champion title in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988. The cross country team did not make this honor in 1989, but in 1990 they started another three year stretch as Women’s cross country team champions.
