HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's and women's cross country teams open the 2014 season on Saturday morning with a dual meet against Holy Names. The Pioneers will hold the 5k event at Garin Regional Park, marking the first time they have hosted a cross country meet since the program joined NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in 2009. 

Click here for a video tour of the Garin Park 5k course.

East Bay carries high expectations into 2014 after making significant strides last season. On the women's side, sophomore Sarah Perrin returns as the reigning CCAA Freshman of the Year. She earned All-CCAA honors with an 11th-place overall finish at the conference championships. Perrin is joined by senior Oddessey Tapia -- CSUEB's top finisher in three meets in 2013 -- and junior Imani Heath to form a strong core of returners. 

Seniors Alexa Torres and Iris Martinez, junior Celina Vera, and sophomores Camille Hansen and Vanessa Mares are all back for the Pioneers as well. They'll be joined by a talented group of newcomers that includes freshmen Cynia Sapp, Sydney Johnson, Ravyn Miller, and Talia Cox, as well as junior transfers Chris Cortez and Samira Foy. 

The Pioneer women recorded their best finish as members of the CCAA at the 2013 Championships, taking ninth place out of 11 teams. Head coach Ralph Jones has perhaps a more skilled and experienced squad this year, and they'll look to take yet another step forward. 

On the men's side, seniors Will Weekes and Daniel Damian -- the team's top finisher in four meets last season -- lead a group that has a chance to be the most successful to date under Jones. Junior Orlando Ramirez and sophomore Irvin Parada also return for East Bay, and they'll be joined by a handful of impressive newcomers. The Pioneers will look to get strong contributions from junior transfer Leo Theus III along with freshmen Zach Kanlong, Adam Gardere, Latee Piggee, and David Caballero. 

The men's team has never finished higher than eighth at the CCAA Championships, but there's reason for optimism in 2014 as this may be Jones' deepest roster yet. The Pioneers still have strides to make (pun intended) before they reach the level of a championship squad, but that journey starts this week, right in their own backyard, at the Garin Park 5k.

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