UC Irvine Giving Day

Our success in Cross Country and Track & Field is made possible by the generosity of those who believe in our mission and invest in our student-athletes. We take great pride in the dedication and resilience our athletes demonstrate every day, and your continued support ensures we can provide the resources needed to compete at the highest level.

As one of the most diverse programs within UC Irvine Athletics, Cross Country and Track & Field play a vital role in expanding competitive opportunities for men and women alike. To maintain our momentum and continue elevating our program, we prioritize support for team travel, scholarships, and nutrition—critical elements that directly impact performance and development.

Your gift directly strengthens our programs and helps us build a championship-caliber experience for our student-athletes now and into the future.

Together We Zot - Cross Country and Track & Field

As a result of the landmark settlement in the NCAA vs. House case, NCAA D1 institutions are entering a new era and now provide financial assistance to student-athletes as part of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) activities.

That's where Together We Zot comes in. The Together We Zot Fund is managed through the UC Irvine Foundation and is a 501(c)(3) organization.

This initiative is a bold step forward. It's not just a donation — it's a targeted investment in the success of our student-athletes and the long-term strength of UC Irvine Athletics.

The Together We Zot - Men's Cross Country and Track & Field as well as the Together We Zot - Women's Cross Country and Track & Field funds are exclusively dedicated to providing scholarships, room and board stipends, summer school, institutional licensing (NIL) directly to student-athletes, and Alston awards, ensuring UC Irvine stays at the forefront of innovation and impact in college sports.

Together We Zot is about more than just funding. It's a commitment to:

• Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent
• Maximizing each student-athlete's potential
• Keeping UC Irvine Athletics nationally competitive
• Providing transformational support as rules evolve

Cross Country and Track & Field History of Success

UC Irvine women’s track & field delivered a historic season, highlighted by winning the first Big West Championship in program history. The Anteaters totaled 13 All-Big West performances, led by Jazzmine Davis, the Big West Women’s Track Athlete of the Meet, along with conference champions Davis (400m hurdles) and Luz Mercado (800m), while Jeff Perkins was named Coach of the Year. At the national level, a school-record 10 Anteaters qualified for the NCAA West First Round, headlined by Zharia Taylor, who became the program’s first NCAA Championship qualifier since 2009 and first All-American since 1997.

UC Irvine men’s track & field was anchored by Liam Miksic, who made history by capturing his third consecutive Big West title in the javelin, breaking his own school record and earning second-team All-America honors. The Anteaters finished the year with seven NCAA West First Round qualifiers, four All-Big West performers, and Angel Cordero earning Big West Freshman of the Year honors after a standout 800m season that included a freshman school record and the program’s first NCAA regional appearance in the event since 2017.

UC Irvine cross country also enjoyed a strong year, with the women placing second at the Big West Championships and winning the Vanguard Invitational, led by All-Big West performer Kaia Schmidt. On the men’s side, Juan Chantaca produced one of the top seasons in program history, setting the school 8K record, posting the best NCAA West Regional finish by an Anteater since 1999, and earning two Big West Athlete of the Week honors.