The CSUN women’s cross country team started its season by finishing in ninth-place at the 62nd Annual Aztec Invitational in San Diego on Sept. 16, while the Men’s team finished in 12th place.
Julie Hancock was the top Matador finisher on the women’s team by placing 33rd overall in a time of 19:44 in the women’s 5k. Following Hancock were Cherie McPherson, who finished 50th with a time of 20:12, and Diana Rosete, who placed 65th (20:34).
Arkansas was able to win its second straight invitational title with 20 points overall. Finishing second was Long Beach State (60 points), and placing third was Loyola Marymount, who ended up with 80 points.
LMU Lion’s Laura Mickelson won her second individual title in 2006 by placing first overall. The Arkansas Razorbacks dominated the invitational with eight runners finishing in the top 10.
The Matadors finished with 250 points, ahead of Saint Mary’s, who had 286 points.
For the men, Manuel Ruiz was the top finisher for the team as he placed 25th in a time of 27:03 in the 8k. Diego Fernandez finished 59th in a time of 28:05 and Jacinto Garcia placed 77th in a time of 28:37.
Winning the invitational was Big West rival Long Beach State with 54 points, followed by Cal State San Marcos with 90 points and Cal Poly Pomona with 100.
Azusa Pacific’s Arom Rono won his second straight race as a Cougar by recording a time of 24:47, the third fastest time in the Aztec Invitational’s 62-year history. CSUF’s Jordan Horn finished second behind Rono with 25:44.
CSUN finished with 303 points. Behind them was Fort Lewis with 304 points.
The Matadors’ cross-country team will be competing in the Pepperdine 4-Way on September 23rd at eight in the morning.