Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay women's cross country team continued its impressive Fall with a stellar showing on Saturday against a deep, loaded field of Division I and II teams at Sacramento State's annual Capital Cross Challenge at Haggins Oaks Golf Course.

The Pioneers took ninth place out of 26 teams in the 6k race, besting a host of opponents that included eight Division I squads as well as CCAA rivals Cal Poly Pomona, SF State, and Sonoma State. In addition, six of the eight teams ahead of CSUEB were D1 schools. 

"This was an historic day for us," praised head coach Tony Nicolosi. "Stanislaus looks like it may be the team to beat in our conference, and we have never been this close to Chico State since returning to D2. These women have worked incredibly hard, and they held their own today against a lot of very solid D1 schools. We still have a long way to go to get where we want to be, but I'm really excited about what this team is capable of this season."

For the third straight meet, sophomore Angelina Ronquillo and senior Cecilia Carretero led the way. Ronquillo placed 10th overall in 21:38.4, while Carretero was four seconds behind in 11th place in 21:42.8. The pair out-paced dozens of D1 runners in the field of 251, and there was just one D2 athlete ahead of them, Clarissa Morales of Stanislaus. Ronquillo hit a personal best time, which moves her up from No. 3 to No. 2 on the program's all-time fastest 6k list.

Sophomore Claire Fisher was the team's third finisher, placing 47th overall with a time of 22:27.7. She was followed by Andrea Romero in 67th place (22:48.4).

A trio of Pioneers finished close together, as senior Katherine Embody was the team's fifth scoring runner in 167th place (24:08.4). Brittney Duquette was right behind her in 168th in 24:11.3, followed closely by Alondra Castro Ortiz in 171st in 24:12.2. Caitlyn Amburgey rounded out CSUEB's morning in 185th place with a time of 24:29.3.

East Bay will now take a week off before competing in the annual Santa Clara Bronco Invitational as the team's final tuneup before CCAA Championships.