RESULTS (PDF)

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton men's and women's cross country teams won both the men's and women's events at the USD Invite, hosted by the University of San Diego, on Saturday morning at Telocote Shores North Park.

"Overall, I'm very pleased with the outcome," coach John Elders said. "It's fun to get the double victory and if we continue training well and stick together good things will keep happening."

The Titan men got started first as Jose Penaloza finished second overall with a time of 25:33 to be the top-finisher for Fullerton.

Sam Pimentel and Joe Casco joined Penaloza in the top 10 by completing the course in 25:50 and 25:58 to finish seventh and ninth overall. Fullerton's Freek Van De Weerd and Jason Hillquist made top-15 finishes at the event as well to give the Titans a total team score of 40 points and the USD Invite crown.

Titans Gabe Toscano and TJ Moffit also placed well at the event finishing 18^th and 28^th with times of 26:23 and 26:48.

"I was a little concerned early in the race that the guys went out a little too conservative, but they stuck to the plan and rallied in the second half of the race," Elders said. "Sam ran a very impressive second half and Freek, Joe and Gabe all improved their performances from the Covert Classic. Penaloza looked great again leading the way for us."

Following the men's event, the Titan women got their race underway at 9 a.m. and put up amazing times across the board with four runners completing the course in the top 10.

Sierra Ungeman placed first on the women's side with a time of 22:21 and fellow Titans Samantha Huerta and Stephanie Ruiz didn't finish far behind the senior as they placed third and fourth. Brianna Jacklin was the other Fullerton runner to finish in the top 10 as she placed ninth overall with a time of 22:44.

To secure the USD Invite title for the Titan women was true freshman Sandra Flores who completed the course in 22:55 to finish 11^th and give Fullerton a total team score of 28 points, the lowest meet score for the XC women's program since September of 2013 when they finished the CSUSB Invitational with a team score of 24 points.

Arianna Fuentes and Nisreen Rizk placed in the top-30 for the Fullerton women as Fuentes finished the course with a time of 23:36 to place 23^rd, while Rikz placed 29^th overall with a time of 24:21.

"Sierra really crushed it today and put herself in great position early, stayed patient and out kicked the other runners at the conclusion of the race," coach Elders said. "Once again, we had really good pack running by the gals. Stephanie Ruiz and Samantha Huerta worked really well together and Brianna Jacklin grinded out a solid race, despite not feeling well. Sandra Flores also did a good job of passing a few runners at the end in the last 1K."

With both Fullerton cross country squads winning today, the men have a second and first place finish through two events this season, while the Titan women have now won back-to-back events to start their 2016 campaign.

Up next for the Titans is the West Region Preview at 9 a.m. PT in Sacramento, Calif., at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on October 1.

FULLERTON USD INVITE TIMES:

Men: Jose Penaloza (2^nd, 25:33), Sam Pimentel (7^th, 25:50), Joe Casco (9^th, 25:58), Freek Van De Weerd (12^th, 26:04), Jason Hillquist (14^th, 26:10), Gabe Toscano (18^th, 26:23), TJ Moffit (28^th, 26:48), Martin Montes (32^nd, 26:55), Jorge Sanchez-Velazquez (39^th, 27:13), Gavin Bradley (40^th, 27:15) & Erick Juarez (49^th, 27:58)

Women: Sierra Ungerman (1^st, 22:21), Samantha Huerta (3^rd, 22:24), Stephanie Ruiz (4^th, 22:28), Brianna Jacklin (9^th, 22:44), Sandra Flores (11^th, 22:55), Arianna Fuentes (23^rd, 23:36), Nisreen Rizk (29^th, 24:21), Stephanie Cortez (30^th, 24:24) & Kevelin Huerta (35^th, 24:42)