SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. –- The Pioneer women's track team turned in an impressive perfroamnce on a gorgeous day in the city. East Bay set a number of season and personal best times against over 30 Division I, II, and Junior College programs at the San Francisco State Distance Carnival on Friday.

Celina Vera ran almost 30 seconds faster than her lifetime best for the 5000, finishing third in her section with a time of 18:09.67. Vera's time was better than seven Division I runners, as well as three competitors from Chico State and two from Humboldt State.                                                             

Imani Heath started the day off for the Pioneers, ran her fastest race of the season in the 800 with a time of 2:17.75 to finish 15th overall. Heath bested 28 runners, including eight competitors from Division I and two runners each from CCAA rivals Cal State Stanislaus, Chico State, and Humboldt State.    
                                                                                                                                                                                                Other competitors for the women were Shatalai Wright in the 800 and Chelsea Ingram in the 100.

"I was extremely pleased with the performance of Imani and Celina,” Pioneer Head Coach Ralph Jones commented. "Imani competed very well and is starting to run smarter races. Celina ran masterfully and really followed the race plan the coaching staff laid out for her. She was very controlled, hit the paces she was supposed to, and kicked long to set herself up to run a good time. She led the race with one-and-a-half laps to go, but was out-sprinted in the final 100 meters. I couldn't have been prouder of her or the race plan that the coaching staff put together for her. Imani ran a smart and controlled race, as well, and battled in the final 300 meters to give herself a chance to run fast. Every race Imani is getting smarter and she is beginning to allow the race to come to her."