FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton men's and women's cross country will compete in the Capital Cross Challenge on Saturday. The men's 8,000-meter race is set to start at 9:50 a.m. PT while the women will run 6,000 meters at 10:30 a.m. at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento.
The Titans will compete against Cal State Northridge, California (M: 7 in West Region, W: 7), Fresno State, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, San Jose State, Santa Clara (M: 13 in West Region, W: NR), Southern Utah (M: 13 in the nation, W: NR), UC Davis and many others.
"I think that's really what we're looking for, to see the teams continue to improve and get better each and every week to prepare for the championship season," head coach John Elders said. "That's really what all these invitational meets are about, getting better, learning to race and getting more confidence."
The women's squad earned a second-place finish among Division I teams in the season-opening race at the Mark Covert Classic (Sep. 2) and then finished in an eighth place at a very competitive UC Riverside Invitational (Sep. 16). Freshman Wendi Leos, sophomore Sam Huerta and freshman Trinity Ruelas have been the team's top-three finishers in both races this season.
The men's team has looked very strong to start off the 2017 season, earning a first-place finish at the Mark Covert Classic and then taking third place among 13 DI teams at the UC Riverside Invitational. The Titans were also the top Big West finisher at the UC Riverside Invitational. Junior Samuel Pimentel has been the first Titan to cross the finish line in both races thus far this season, earning a third-place finish in his first race and 19th place finish in his second. Freshman Jacob Smith, senior Joe Casco and sophomore Jorge Sanchez also scored for the Titans in both of their previous races this season.
Coach Elders is hopeful the XC teams can build on their first 2 races when they compete at the Capital Cross Challenge on Saturday. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/8NQZSCd0IB
— Titan Track & Field (@FullertonTFXC) September 28, 2017
"I'm excited to see how they perform this weekend," Elders said. "We're a little dinged up with some injuries and illnesses but other than that we've had really great practices and I'm optimistic that we can go up there and have a really good showing."
Both teams were ranked No. 15 in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) preseason regional rankings. In the Sep. 25 week three regional rankings, the men's squad is still No. 15 in the west region while the women's team fell out of the top 15.
The Titans return eight student-athletes from the men's squad that took third place at the 2016 Big West Championships. That third-place finish was the team's best finish at the league championships since 1993. The women's team welcomes back six student-athletes from the 2016 squad that took fourth place at the league championships.
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