Otter Record Books Get A Re–Write At Coyote Challenge

September 21, 2019 | By: By Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)

Brooke Roy sets CSUMB 5K standard; Swiatkowski and Plascencia shine the men’s race

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay cross country teams did a little redecorating of their record books with strong performances at the Coyote Challenge Saturday at the Cal State San Bernardino Campus Course.

The biggest record to fall came on the women's side where sophomore Brooke Roy (Camus [Wash.] HS) broke Hannah Bell's 6–year–old school record at the 5K distance. Roy didn't just break the record, she obliterated it, running an 18:04.44 to beat Bell's standard by nearly 14 seconds and gave her a fourth place finish Saturday.

Senior Natalie Vaughn (Santiago HS/Riverside CC) also added her name to the list. Her time of 18:52.44 ranks No. 12 in CSUMB history and finished No. 29 Saturday.

Junior Arlene Diazleal (Alvarez HS/Hartnell College) earned a spot in the Top 50 of the 146 racers by placing 48th. Fellow junior Trinity Gomez (Downey/Warren HS) just missed her spot by placing 51st.

Just like in the women's race, a pair of Otters added their names to the CSUMB record book in the men's 8K race. Sophomore Joel Swiatkowski (Long Beach/Millikan HS) led the way with a 25:04.76, the 10th fastest 8K in Otter history. Freshman Chris Plascencia (Marina HS) made his first collegiate race a memorable one, recording the 11th fastest 8K by an Otter with a 25:08.57.

Led by Roy and Vaughn, the Otter women finished sixth in the 12–team field. Swiatkowski and Plascencia led the Otter men to fourth amongst 10 teams.

"I was really impressed with both teams' performances today," said CSUMB Head Coach Greg Rhines. "When a team does well, individuals obviously stepped it up. These teams are young. I'm looking forward to what wonderful things will come for these programs."

The Otters will hop right back into action next weekend when they compete at the Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento.

GO OTTERS!

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