Results

HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay men's and women's track and field teams hosted their home meet this weekend at Chabot College, the sixth annual East Bay Invitational. There were a number of impressive performances by the Pioneers at the two-day event, including a bit of history Friday evening.

The meet opened with just three events on the first day, and the Pioneers had several athletes compete in the javelin during the afternoon. On the men's side, Israel Sotelo led the way with a throw of 24.33 meters that was good for eighth place overall. That distance currently ranks No. 20 in the CCAA. Jamie McPherson had a strong showing in the women's event to place fourth and notch a CCAA-qualifying throw of 29.30 that ranks 22nd in the conference.

Friday's program closed with the longest event of the meet, the 10,000 meters. The Pioneers had three of the top four finishers in that race, led by freshman Xavier Smith with a first place finish. His time of 32:46.43 enters the Pioneer record books as the seventh-fastest time in school history, and it currently ranks sixth in the CCAA. Fellow rookie John Bradshaw crossed the finish line in 34:01.47 to take third place with a time that ranks him No. 10 in program history and No. 8 in the conference this season. Junior Oscar Mora took fourth in the event in 34:36.48.

The majority of the meet took place on Saturday, as gorgeous weather graced the East Bay area. The morning started with the 5,000 meters, and freshman Amanda Navarro cracked the top-25 in the CCAA with a personal best time of 18:09.60 that earned her a third place finish in the race. Jessica Mendez took 11th in that event, followed by Alex Cholometes in 12th and Jodi Go in 17th. 

In the 1500 meters, Caitlin Amburgey led the way for the women's squad with a PR time of 4:54.45 to finish second in her heat and 13th in the overall field. Alondra Catro Ortiz also had a strong race, placing second in her heat and 19th overall with a time of 4:58.79. Sophomore Samantha Valenica took 53rd in that event as well.

On the men's side, Bryan Llopis was the top East Bay runner in the 1500 meters. He earned a second place finish in his heat and took 10th overall with a time of 4:03.75. Senior Jeremy Shaw also competed in the 1500 and notched a 20th place finish.

Brittney Duquette notched a personal best time to lead the Pioneers in the 400 meters. The junior finished second in the race, crossing the tape with a time of 59.00 that currently ranks 16th in the conference.

Andrea Romero represented the Pioneers in the 800 meters, and she posted a PR time as well. The junior won her heat by nearly two seconds and place fifth overall with a time of 2:22.06 that puts her inside the top-20 in the CCAA.

Finally, Melvin Esteva closed out the afternoon in the 3000 meter steeplechase. He didn't match his personal best, which is currently sixth in the conference, but he nonetheless notched a runner-up finish in the race, crossing the finish line in 9:44.83.

The Pioneers will send a handful of runners to take on top-level competition next week at Azusa Pacific's Bryan Clay Invitational, but for most of the CSUEB runners, this was the last tune-up before CCAA Championships. The conference meet is set for May 3-4 down at UC San Diego.