University of San Francisco
NCAA West Regional Championship
11/13/2026 3:11:00 PM | Cross Country
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The University of San Francisco men's and women's cross country teams concluded their seasons with strong performances at the 2026 NCAA Division I West Regional Championships on Friday morning at Arcade Creek Cross Country Course, highlighted by the women's sixth-place finish and the men's best regional showing since 2018.
The women finished sixth overall with 239 points, matching their 2021 performance for their highest regional finish since placing second in 2017. The men earned 11th place with 332 points, recording their best regional finish in eight years.
Coming off their West Coast Conference Championship victory on Oct. 30, the women carried their momentum into Friday's regional competition, placing sixth overall and finishing just two points ahead of conference opponent Gonzaga.
"Coming off of the WCC championship we wanted to test ourselves against some of the best programs in the country," San Francisco head coach Jordan Carpenter said. "We were able to prove that we belong in the conversation with programs like Washington, Stanford, Gonzaga - programs that are typically competing at the National level. While we didn't quite get that NCAA berth this season, we return 5 of these 7 ladies and got a really good look at what it takes to compete at that level."
Faustine Chaboche led the Dons with a 30th-place finish, clocking a time of 20:13.8. Sofia Urizar followed in 38th place at 20:20.4, while Anna Buettner rounded out San Francisco's top three with a 45th-place finish in 20:32.1.
Chloe Browne finished 51st overall with a time of 20:39.3, while Bella Browne completed the team's scoring five in 75th place (21:06.2). Petra Helebrantova followed in 87th (21:14.9), while Rose Perotin finished 94th (21:19.6).
The Dons placed all seven runners inside the top 100, including four among the top 51, marking significant progress for a program that finished 19th at the regional championships just two years ago with only one athlete among the top 100.
"We had a few runners sick leading into the meet, but I thought the ladies competed hard and put themselves in positions early in the race to have a successful day," Carpenter said. "I am really proud of the effort today and the growth this group has seen throughout the fall. It has been a joy to watch this team compete and put themselves towards the top of the biggest meets like today."
With five of the seven regional competitors returning next season, the Dons will look to build on their conference championship and regional success as they pursue a berth at the NCAA Championships.
"Two years ago we were 19th at this meet with only one athlete finishing in the top 100," Carpenter said. "Today we finished 6th with all 7 athletes inside the top 100 and 4 inside the top 51. The future is bright for the Dons!"
On the men's side, San Francisco recorded one of its strongest team performances of the season, finishing 11th overall with 332 points after entering the meet ranked 12th in the region.
Herbie Johnson led the Dons with a 25th-place finish, completing the 10-kilometer course in 29:43.4. Johnson's performance earned him All-Region honors and marked one of the fastest 10K cross country times in program history.
"Herbie put together the best race of his young career to run one of the fastest times in USF history and earn All-Region honors along the way," Carpenter said. "He put himself in the lead group early and ran a really tough race to hang on. He was one of only two true underclassmen to earn All-Region honors. It has been fun to see him begin to develop into a great cross country runner."
Daniel Abramowicz followed in 43rd place with a time of 30:11.7, while Leo Conil finished 50th overall in 30:22.4, giving San Francisco three runners among the top 50.
Cole Fiegener crossed the finish line in 103rd place with a time of 31:29.6, followed by Otto Sellers in 111th (31:34.6) to complete the team's scoring five. Jack Olney also competed for San Francisco, finishing 114th overall in 31:37.6.
The 11th-place finish marked the program's best regional result since 2018 and continued the men's upward trajectory, climbing from 24th during Carpenter's first year to just outside the region's top 10.
"The guys wrapped the season up with one of our best team races of the year," Carpenter said. "We came in ranked 12th and had the goal of finishing higher than that and the guys got it done finishing 11th, marking our best finish since 2018."
With most of the men's roster expected to return next season, Carpenter and the Dons will look to continue their progress toward a top-10 regional finish.
"Our men's program has seen tremendous growth over my time here, rising from 24th in my first year to now on the cusp of being a top-10 program in one of the deepest regions in the country," Carpenter said. "We are excited to chase that top-10 finish next year as we return most of the squad."
TOP FINISHERS:
Women (6th, 239 points):
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Faustine Chaboche – 20:13.8
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Sofia Urizar – 20:20.4
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Anna Buettner – 20:32.1
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Chloe Browne – 20:39.3
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Bella Browne – 21:06.2
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Petra Helebrantova – 21:14.9
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Rose Perotin – 21:19.6
Men (11th, 332 points):
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Herbie Johnson – 29:43.4
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Daniel Abramowicz – 30:11.7
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Leo Conil – 30:22.4
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Cole Fiegener – 31:29.6
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Otto Sellers – 31:34.6
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Jack Olney – 31:37.6
FOLLOW US:
For more information on the San Francisco cross country and track and field programs, follow @donsxctf on Twitter, @donsxctf on Instagram and @donsxctf on Facebook.
MERCHANDISE:
Want to dress like the Dons? Get your official San Francisco Dons gear from the University of San Francisco bookstore today! Click here to purchase.
