PIONEER MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY COMPETE AT GOLDEN GATE PARK IN THE SF STATE INVITATIONAL
The PUC Pioneers cross country teams returned once again to compete on the green fields of Golden Gate Park, Speedway Meadows on October 11, to the San Francisco State Cross Country Invitational. With sunny and warm conditions, the race attracted up to 12 teams from NCAA Division II and NAIA teams including University of Californiai at Merced and William Jessup University.
First up was the Women's Race, a 6K (3.7mi) distance race which composed of two vigorious loops around the meadow. Leading the charge for the Pioneers was junior returning runner Ana Orozco-Redmon (JR/Obregon, Sonora Mexico) with a time of 31:30 in 89th place, followed by newcomers Mani Chavez-Duron (FR/Oakland, CA) and Isabella Malan (JR/Sutter, CA) in 94th and 97th place, just one minute apart with times of 32:55 and 33:56 respectively.
The overall first place runner of the women's 6K was unattached runner, Josephine Brysting with a time of 22:09.
On the Men's Side, the Pioneers were challenged with the longest race they have faced thus far (10K or 6.2mi), and their first event against a higher calibar of competition. The race included runners from both the NCAA DII teams and NAIA.
Newcomer Justin Roosma (FR/Walla Walla, WA) walked away with some hardware at the San Fransisco State Cross Country Invitational finishing second overall in the Men's Race. With confidence in his summer training, Justin finished with a time of 32:51 (5:17 average pace).
Soon after we witnessed senior Kyle Bullington (SR/Fresno, CA) cross the finish line with a time of 42:37 (68th overall). Followed by teammates Cyrus Jones (JR/Sacramento, CA) with a time of 47:54 (73rd overall) and Anthony Olivarria (JR/Lodi, CA) with a time of 48:35 (75th overall).
Despite battling muscle cramps for majority of the race, Abraham Garrido (competing unattached) finished with a time of 49:23.
The overall first place runner of the men's 10K was Biola University Runner, Gabe Plendcio with a time of 32:11.
Next up, the Pioneers head down south to California State University at Fullerton to compete on Friday October 25 in their last meet of the pre-season. Then the following Friday November 1st, the Pioneers end their season competitions at Woodward Park in Fresno, CA for the California Pacific Conference Runners Championship Event.
Results: Men's and Women's