Jan. 18, 2004

BERKELEY, Calif. - Sophomore Bridget Duffy and junior Girmay Guangul were named Most Valuable Performers at the annual cross country banquet on Saturday night.

Duffy, who also was named MVP as a freshman, capped the 2003 season by being named an All-American for her 42nd-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. The second team All-Pac-10 honoree from Oakland, Calif., was the first Golden Bear woman to compete at nationals since Elissa Riedy did so in 1997 and 1998 and was only the eighth Cal women's runner to ever earn All-America honors in cross country. On the year, Duffy held top honors for the Bears in seven of eight competitions she entered and has led the team in 12 of 13 events since arriving on campus last year.

In 2003, Guangul led the Bears in 25th place at the NCAA West Regional and in 28th place at the Pac-10 Championships. The San Jose, Calif., product paced the Bears in all five races he entered last season.

Other awards issued at the banquet went to:

Most Improved: Eva Markiewicz

Most Inspirational: Abby Parker

Most Improved: David Torrence

Most Inspirational: Carlos Carballo