Results (PDF)

AZUSA, Calif. -- Six members of the Cal State East Bay track and field team traveled to the Bryan Clay Invitational, hosted by Azusa Pacific, this week and all six turned in outstanding efforts to post their fastest times of the season.

The three-day meet at APU is one of the best events on the West coast, and it gave the CSUEB student-athletes a chance to race against high level Division I and II competition.

"This was the type of week a coach dreams about," reflected head coach Tony Nicolosi.

The meet started for the Pioneers Wednesday evening with Claire Fisher running in the 10,000 meters. The sophomore ran a personal best time of 36:50.86 that currently ranks third in the CCAA for the season. It's the fifth-fastest time in school history, and the fastest by a Pioneer runner since 1988. 

"Claire ran an incredible race," Nicolosi praised. "She was ready to run back a few weeks back, but got very ill, and it's amazing how quickly he's gotten back into form. This is a three-minute improvement since she ran the 10k just a year ago. What she has done in her career thus far is nothing short of remarkable. 

On Thursday, the event schedule featured the 5,000 meters. Angelina Ronquillo already had an NCAA Provisional mark and a top-three time in the CCAA in that race, but she nonetheless proceeded to carve nearly 14 seconds off her PR. Ronquillo placed fourth in her heat with the fourth-fastest time in program history, 16:55.92. It's the fastest 5k since Kathy Koudela set the school record in 1984, and it might be good enough to qualify Ronquillo for NCAA Championships. 

"Angie has grown so much in this event," said Nicolosi. She is so tough to beat, and majority of the runners in her heat were from major D1 schools. This performance showed her future is extremely promising." 

Later that evening, Julian Johnson made a move up the Pioneer record books as well. He posted a 5,000 meter time of 14:50.21, which is the fifth-best in program history and the fastest by a Pioneer since 1989. 

"Julian ran a gritty race, and this is only his sophomore year in track," Nicolosi added. "This is the type of race he needed to give himself a chance to go to nationals next year."

The last three Pioneers ran on Friday, starting with the 800 meters. Caitlin Amburgey posted a season-best time of 2:21.02 that ranks inside the top-20 in the conference. Brittney Duquette won her heat with an outstanding effort, crossing the finish time with a mark of 2:10.91 that ranks fifth in school history and second in the CCAA. It's also an NCAA Provisional time.

"I shouldn't be stunned anymore when Brittney runs, but I genuinely was today," Nicolosi admitted. Just 14 months ago, she was 2:24 in the 800 meters. No one in our program has grown more than her."

"The times Brittney and Angie posted are elite. In the last five years, their respective times have either qualified for nationals, or been just outside the cut. Division II is growing so fast, but these are still elite times. These two women have elevated this program to heights Hayward hasn't seen since the 1980s, Hopefully we'll get a chance to see them at nationals."

Andrea Romero closed out the meet for the Pioneers Friday evening in the 1500 meters by making it six-for-six in personal best times for the squad. She finished in third place in her heat notching a time of 4:47.33 that ranks among the top-20 in the CCAA.