September 4, 2010

BELMONT, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay cross country teams got the season underway Saturday morning in the Notre Dame de Namur Invitational's Battle of the Bays.

Competing against NCAA Division I Pacific and San Jose State, the Otters ran a strong race on a very challenging course.  CSUMB finished sixth out of nine teams with 144 points.  San Jose State took the top billing.

Junior #Hayley Tharp# was the women's top runner with a 26th place finish and a time of 20:55.  In her first collegiate race, freshman #Sayla Hicks# placed second on the squad in 31st with a time of 21:38.  Senior #Keri Zaro# was 36th in 21:50, while senior #Krista Sornborger# was 43rd in 22:03. Rounding out the top five was senior #Marie Beard#, who placed 45th in 22:11. Sophomore #Mackenzie Morgan# cross the line at 22:26 for 48th place and #Marissa Aquilar# concluded the CSUMB runners with a time of 24:20 for 59th place.

“Our first meet is history and I am truly impressed with the performances,” said head coach #Greg Rhines#.  “We had 7 women run the race, and we had seven PR's (personal records) on this course!”

Senior #Vince Carr# broke 27 minutes (26:11) on the 4.2 mile race to finish in 35th place.  Freshman #James Dunn# ran his inaugural college race in a time of 26:51 to finish in 40th.

The Otters next compete in the Mills College Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Oakland.