Wildcat Invitational Results | Aggie Open Results

HAYWARD, Calif. -- Four members of the Cal State East Bay men's track and field team were in competition on Saturday, despite a rainy week throughout much of northern California. Fortunately, the rain held off for most of Saturday's action, allowing the Pioneers to send three runners to the UC Davis Aggie Open and one runner to Chico State's Wildcat Invitational. 

Israel Sotelo traveled up to Chico to run against a loaded field in the 1500 meters. Sotelo, who was East Bay's best cross country runner in the fall as a freshman, ran in the "A" section and placed 24th overall with a time of 4:13.80. The pace started out slow, so none of the finishing times were eye-popping. But Sotelo managed to stay in the top half of a 50-person field that included runners from Chico State and Humboldt State, as well as William Jessup and several junior college teams. 

"Israel got great experience in a race with the best guys in the conference," said head coach Tony Nicolosi. "Some of those runners have a chance to be All-American in the 1500, so he learned a lot. There was major growth today."

Over in Davis, Phillip Gernert placed 12th in the 200 meters, finishing in 24.43. A pair of Pioneer freshman ran the 3k, with Alberto Venegas taking 21st in 9:22.73 and Esteban Leon finishing 23rd in 9:50.59. 

Next Saturday, the Pioneer men will travel up to Sacramento State to compete in the Hornet Invitational.