Results (PDF)
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cal State East Bay men's track and field team opened the 2017 season on Saturday at the annual Johnny Mathis Invitational, hosted by San Francisco State at Cox Stadium.
The Pioneers turned in a strong performance in their first meet of the season, wasting no time in posting several California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) qualifying standards.
Following an outstanding freshman campaign, sophomore
Aaron Jones picked up where he left off. He took third place in the 200 Meters with a time of 21.96. He then placed second -- just one-hundredth of a second behind the winner -- in the 400 Meters with a CCAA qualifying time of 49.90.
Sticking with the sprints,
Anthony Anderson also posted CCAA qualifying marks, placing third in the 110 Hurdles with a time of 16.06. He followed that up with a third place finish in the 400 Hurdles in 58.01.
The rest of the East Bay men's team competed in the distance events.
Chris Lessard finished in fifth place in the 1500 Meters (4:02.81) to lead the Pioneers in that race.
Pedro Cruz was very close behind him in eighth place in 4:04.69. Both runners hit CCAA qualifying times in their first real competition of the Spring.
Jeremy Shaw placed 23rd in the 1500M in 4:13.10, followed by
Christian Moncada in 24th (4:14.65).
Finally, the Pioneers entered nine runners in the longest race of the day, the 5000 Meters.
Esteban Leon led the way with an eighth place finish and a time of 15:12.15. He was followed by Lessard in 20th (15:28.82),
Israel Sotelo in 2nd (15:36.09),
Miguel Morales in 27th (15:50.05),
Kyle Fetter in 29th (15:50.95),
Zach Kanlong in 32nd (15:54.03),
Irvin Parada in 37th (15:57.50),
Jesus Leon in 47th (16:33.99), and
Noah Siegel in 50th (16:55.18).
The 2017 season has only just begun, but the Pioneers will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Stanislaus State for the annual Kim Duyst Invitational.
