Cross Country Flexes on Four-Year Universities at CSU Fullerton Invite
Following a race against top Division I, II, II and NAIA teams in the state, the Riverside City College cross country program traveled to Fullerton, CA to try their hand once again against top four-year universities at the CSU Fullerton State Invitational on Friday. Both sides rebounded well as the men placed second overall and the women place fourth.
The men finished atop each all competing colleges in the event, but fell short to a club team with season veterans. It is their fourth silver medal finish of the season and the fifth time landing on the podium.
Joshua Briscoe paced the Tigers by finishing 22nd overall and fifth among college competitors with a time of 22:57.28. Ricardo Cruz backed him in 25th place with a mark reading 26:08.22, while Jordan Wilson rounded out the top-three for the Tigers at a time of 26:21.86 to earn him 29th overall.
Jared Mallon capped the top-30 with a mark of 26:22.61 to finish on Wilson's heeled, while Jason Morse crossed the finish line in 33rd place at a time of 26:26.17.
The women fell short of the podium for just the second time this season with a fourth-place finish. It is the second-consecutive time they fell short of the top-three, but their best finish against top-ranked competitors from four-year universities.
Emiliana Merida-Cano impressed once again after landing in 17th place at a mark of 19:31.51. Ariel Martinez was not far behind in 19th place after completing her trot at 19:35.38. Brianna Rodriguez landed at 29th overall with a mark of 20:07.42.
Helena Vasquez squeaked into the top-40 with a 20:15.17 finish to earn her 34th overall, while Aerial Madrigal joined her on the list with a 38th place mark reading at 20:25.31.
Riverside will look to compete for a conference title at the Orange Empire Conference Championship on Friday, November 1 at Irvine Park. The race begins at 10 a.m.