Results

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay cross country team got in its final tune up before 2011 CCAA Championships at the Bronco Invitational at Baylands Park in Sunnyvale on Saturday. The Pioneer women finished fifth in the open 5k, while the men took 14th in a field of 20 teams in the men's open 8k.

After getting off to a fast start, the women felt the effects of the quick first mile, but finished strong, topping five Division I squads, including San Jose State and Nevada, as well as Sonoma State and Dominican. Tiffany Duffy led the Pioneers again, taking 25th overall and clocking a time of 19:09.7 to lead four East Bay runners with times under 20 minutes.

Amanda McNabb came in 30 seconds later, finishing 44th overall in a time of 19:34.2. Just behind her was Megan McDaniel, who clocked a time of 19:37.9 to take 47th. Freshman Kaitlyn Smith, who led the race early on, came in fourth among the Pioneers and 58th overall in 19:48.7. Nastassia Hamor came in 20 seconds later, crossing in 20:17.4 to finish 85th among the 184 competitors.

Cuesta College's Devon Kelsey took the individual title, crossing in 18:10.8. The University of San Francisco placed four runners in the top 15 to capture the team title, while LA Trade Tech, Hawaii and Cal State Monterey Bay took second through fourth, respectively. 

On the men's side, Chris Gallagher led the East Bay contingent, clocking his best 8k time of the season at 26:39.2, to finish 51st overall. Erik Rodriguez came across in 27:23.7 to finish 84th and record a new season-best mark in the 8k.

A minute later, Scott Pallesen came across to take 118th in 28:32.7, while Joel Becker finished in 29:43.7. John Vergara, still recovering from injury and illness, posted a time of 30:55.1 to finish 153rd.

The Pioneers beat out six teams, including Dominican and Notre Dame de Namur. LA Trade Tech claimed the team and individual titles, placing all five of its scoring runners in the top 15, including individual champion Agustin Alva. Johns Hopkins and the Cal Poly Distance Club placed second and third, respectively.

The Pioneers return to action next weekend when they travel to Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa for the 2011 CCAA Championship meet.