Friday, August 29
Malibu, Calif.
5:45 p.m.
USC
at
Pepperdine Waves Invitational
Cross Country Opens Season at Pepperdine Waves Invite
August 28, 2025 | Women's Cross Country
The Women of Troy will take their first of five road trips this season.
MALIBU, Calif. – The USC Women's Cross Country team kicks off the 2025 fall season this week at the Pepperdine Waves Invite. With Brenda Martinez entering her first season at the helm of cross country coaching, the Women of Troy embark on a five-meet slate beginning with Friday's 4k race.
"They are jumping right in," Martinez said. "They're trusting the process and I told them to show themselves some grace because I am a new coach and it's a whole new training philosophy. They are setting themselves up for a good season and we just have to get everything down day by day."
The team returns four runners from last season including Jacqueline Duarte, named last week to the Big Ten Runners to Watch List. The Duarte sister duo is back with Isabella Duarte entering her second season with the Trojans. Haley Spoden and Lucia Rabolli both begin their third season in Cardinal and Gold after strong showings last season. Additionally, newcomer Holland Prest, an incoming sophomore, is set to make her Trojan debut at the Waves Invite.
The crew put in the work in the weeks leading up to the Waves Invite with Martinez aiming to have her student-athletes "train through" the meet; the goal for Martinez is to have this meet as a further launching point in their training for the season. The training kick off included a team bonding trip to Big Bear last weekend where they spent four days primarily focused on creating a strong team culture.
"These girls are going to be day in, day out best friends," Martinez said. "The chemistry has to be right so they are working hard together and it's nice they are all in the same fitness so they have accountability in there too. I'm excited to see how the season progresses."
The women's 4k is slated for 5:45 p.m. at Alumni Park in Malibu, Calif. Fans can catch live results here and follow along on social media @usc_track_field on Instagram and X.
"They are jumping right in," Martinez said. "They're trusting the process and I told them to show themselves some grace because I am a new coach and it's a whole new training philosophy. They are setting themselves up for a good season and we just have to get everything down day by day."
The team returns four runners from last season including Jacqueline Duarte, named last week to the Big Ten Runners to Watch List. The Duarte sister duo is back with Isabella Duarte entering her second season with the Trojans. Haley Spoden and Lucia Rabolli both begin their third season in Cardinal and Gold after strong showings last season. Additionally, newcomer Holland Prest, an incoming sophomore, is set to make her Trojan debut at the Waves Invite.
The crew put in the work in the weeks leading up to the Waves Invite with Martinez aiming to have her student-athletes "train through" the meet; the goal for Martinez is to have this meet as a further launching point in their training for the season. The training kick off included a team bonding trip to Big Bear last weekend where they spent four days primarily focused on creating a strong team culture.
"These girls are going to be day in, day out best friends," Martinez said. "The chemistry has to be right so they are working hard together and it's nice they are all in the same fitness so they have accountability in there too. I'm excited to see how the season progresses."
The women's 4k is slated for 5:45 p.m. at Alumni Park in Malibu, Calif. Fans can catch live results here and follow along on social media @usc_track_field on Instagram and X.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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