From LBSU reports

Continuing where they left off from last year’s race in Sunnyvale, the Long Beach State cross country teams ran away with both men’s and women’s titles at the Santa Clara Invitational on Saturday morning.  Senior Sarah Apgar crossed the finish line in first place in the women’s invitational as she recorded a personal best of 17:14, seven seconds better than her previous mark of 17:21, which was accomplished in the same event last year.

Considered one of the largest cross country meets on the west coast, this was the second straight year the 49er men’s team has won this event at Badlands Regional Park as the men scored 76 points for the victory.  This was the first title for the women’s team this season as the 49ers accumulated 88 points.  On the women’s side, the 49ers had three other runners finish in the top 20.  Senior Carly Harris finished second for The Beach as she crossed the finish line in 14th with a mark of 17:50, just nine seconds shy of her personal best of 17:41.

Senior Kristina Wilson and junior Missy Barclay finished in 17th and 18th places as both runners came in with the same time of 17:56.  Wilson and Barclay recorded personal bests as both individuals eclipsed their previous marks from last year’s Santa Clara Invitational.  Rounding out the top five for the 49ers, was a pair of freshmen as Jessica Barnard crossed the line in 45th with a time of 18:31 and Stacey Flores came in 61st at 18:47.

For the men’s race, the 49ers were led by freshman Matt Maldonado as he crossed the finish line in 13th place with a time of 24:57.  Following right behind in 14th, was sophomore Travis Kuhlman as he finished just five seconds behind with a time of 25:02.  Kuhlman beat his previous record by 11 seconds.

Freshman Raul Arcos came in third for The Beach as he finished in 19th at 25:20, followed by sophomore Mark Thomas in 26th at 25:28.  The trio of Josh Arrieta, Steven DeCastro and Bret Hasvold crossed the line together with a time of 25:31 as  they placed 30th, 31st and 32nd respectively.

The 49ers return to action Friday, Oct. 24, as they travel to Fullerton for the Titan Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton.