USF Invitational Men's Results

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's cross country team opened the 2015 season on Saturday with an 11th place finish at the San Francisco Invitational, hosted by USF at Golden Gate Park. 

The young Pioneer squad placed third out of four Division II programs in the 8k race, besting cross-bay rival Notre Dame de Namur. 

Freshman Israel Sotelo turned in a strong performance in his first collegiate meet, pacing the Pioneers with a 56th place finish in the overall field of 120, which included runners from six Division I squads. Sotelo's time of 27:06.1 was good for third place among the 36 Division II runners. 

Fellow rookie Alberto Venegas, competing unattached to the team, took 86th place and 14th among DII competitors with a time of 28:05.8. Sophomore Kyle Fetter was right behind him in 90th place, crossing the finish line in 28:20.3 and placing 16th in the DII field. 

A quartet of Pioneers finished in a cluster, all within 20 seconds of each other. Sophomore Zach Kanlong (28:48.0), freshmen Jesus Leon (28:53.9), freshman Noah Siegel (28:56.2), and junior Irvin Parada (29:08.0) took 19th, 20th, 21st, and 23rd among DII runners, respectively. 

Senior Orlando Ramirez (29:54.0) placed 27th in the DII field, followed closely by fellow senior Charlie Gonzalez (30:01.5) in 29th and freshman Esteban Leon (30:16.0) in 30th. Freshman Cameron Olson took 33rd with a time of 30:48.5 to round out East Bay's morning in the city. 

Next week, the Pioneers travel south to compete in the Fresno State Invitational, which takes place on Friday, Sept. 11 at Woodward Park.