Women's Results | Men's Results

HAYWARD, Calif. – On a historic day for the program, the Pioneer men's and women's track team turned in a strong performance at the first Cal State East Bay/Chabot Legacy Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
 
Celina Vera took second place in the 5,000 Meters to lead the East Bay women. She was close to the frontrunners in the beginning of the race, took over second place at the seven lap mark, and then finished strong to claim the runner-up spot in a solid time of 18:34.99 in the 5,000. Vanessa Mares also competed, grabbing the lead after two laps and eventually finishing eighth with a time of 19:40.46.
 
Running the 1,500 Meters for the first time this season, Camille Hansen captured a victory in the first heat and finished sixth overall with a time of 5:03.83. Iris Martinez, with a season-best time of 5:19.81, followed Hansen in second place in their heat. Sarah Perrin rallied from the back of the pack in her heat and took fourth place overall in a season-best time of 4:59.0.

Samira Foy recorded a season-best time of 1:00.33 to finish fourth in the 400 Meters. Sydney Johnson finished close behind in fifth place in 1:02.34, while Imani Heath crossed posted a time of 1:04.27 to take seventh.
 
Johnson (26.58), Foy (27.16), and Donnisha Brown (27.93) placed fourth, fifth, and seventh, respectively in the 200 Meters. Brown also posted a time of 14.04 in the 100 Meter prelims.     
 
In the field events, Chanelle Norwood leaped a season-best distance of 17 feet, 9 inches and defeated a pair of Chico State jumpers to take third place honors in the long jump.
 
"We accomplished what we wanted today, which was to get in one final quality run to sharpen us up for conference championships," head coach Ralph Jones said. "A number of individuals had season-best times, and that's what we expect as we head into the most important meet of the season."

Will Weekes paced the men's team, leading four Pioneer runners in the 5,000 Meters with a third place finish among Division II runners. The senior finished with a time of 15:53.76. Daniel Damian turned in a season-best of 16:04.83 to claim fifth place honors. Jose Gonzalez-Mejia(16:35.08) and Irvin Parada (18:08.47) placed seventh and ninth, respectively.

East Bay's day at the Chabot College track was also highlighted by Orlando Ramirez in the 800 Meters. Ramirez turned in a personal best of 2:06.43 to finish fourth among Division II
competitors. Austin Brown followed in fifth place with a time of 2:13.61. Brown also crossed the wire in 24.07 to take 11th in the 200 Meters.

Anthony Gaines had a solid overall day as he placed fourth in the 100 Meters (11.51), eighth in the 200 Meters (23.20), and leaped 18 feet, 1.5 inches in the long jump.
 
Aaron Godine (12.00), Alejandro Acosta (12.43), and Michael Manalastas (12.78) finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively, in the 100 Meters. Godine doubled in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 1.25 inches.

During the historic Invitational -- the first hosted by CSUEB since re-joining NCAA DIvision II -- legendary Cal State Hayward track coaches Bob McGuire, Don Chu, Marcel Hetu, Manny Myers, and Glenn Parker were honored for their outstanding contributions to the success of Pioneer track and field back in the 1970s and 80s.
 
"I think the legacy honorees presentation was remarkable, and in my opinion was the most memorable part of the day," Jones commented. "To sit there with legends of that magnitude and pay homage was so humbling and meant so much to our athletes and the track and field community. There were numerous coaches from other schools who came down to pay their respects, some were coached by these giants, but many just were honored to be in their presence and remembered something significant they did for the sport.

"There were also a lot of former athletes who showed up, and to see the joy and genuine love, respect, and appreciation that they all had for each other was incredible. Our current Pioneer student-athletes were thrilled to be able to sit and chat with the legacy honorees, and the reception from those in attendance was appreciated. I was extremely pleased with the way it turned out."

Next up for East Bay track and field is the CCAA Championships, which begin Thursday, May 1 in San Diego.