Sept. 4, 2010
Chelsea Reilly tied a course record by covering 5000 meters in 17:20 at Speedway Meadow in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, leading the Cal women's cross country team to victory in the USF Invitational. In addition, the Golden Bear men took third in their 2010 debut.
Reilly finished six seconds ahead of Kentucky's Chelsea Oswald in the individual race, while Cal edged the Wildcats by two points to win the women's team race, 37 to 39. In addition to Reilly, the Bears had three others place among the top 10 - freshman Heather Cerney (4th, 17:39), freshman Elisa Karhu (6th, 17:55) and sophomore Laurynne Chetelat (10th, 18:12). Crystal Esparza was 16th in 18:29, while Taylor Bryson rounded up the Cal racers in 54th place (20:42).
On the men's side, Maxime Chevee was the Bears' top runner across the line, completing his 8K event in 25:07, which was good for sixth place. Teammate Matt Peterson was right behind in the seventh spot with a mark of 25:10. The remainder of Cal's contingent consisted of Nate Beach (24th, 25:46), J.J. Solorzano (32nd, 26:15), Andres Diaz (37th, 26:25) and Renaud Poizat (26:31).
Host USF won its 18th annual invitational with 33 points, followed by Kentucky (54) and Cal (80).
Last year, the Cal men captured the team competition, while the Bears' Keena Kohl claimed the individual women's title. On Saturday, head coach Tony Sandoval held out several of those expected to be among the Bear leaders, including Michael Coe, Steve Sodaro and Kari Karlsson on the men's side and women's runners Deborah Maier, Kohl and Ellie Keene.
The Bears return to action at the Sacramento State Jamboree next Saturday morning.
Men's Results - 8000 meters
Team Scores - 1. San Francisco 33; 2. Kentucky 54; 3. California 80; 4. Santa Clara 99; 5. Academy of Art 126; 6. Saint Mary's 155; 7. San Joaquin Delta College 198; 8. UC Merced 231
Individual Winner: Luis Orta, Kentucky, 24:52.00. Cal Finishers: 6. Maxime Chevee 25:07.00; 7. Matt Petersen 25:10.00; 24. Nate Beach 25:46.00; 32. J.J. Solorzano 26:15.00; 37. Andres Diaz 26:25.00; 38. Renaud Poizat 26:31.00.
Complete men's results
Women's Results - 5000 meters
Team Scores - 1. California 37; 2. Kentucky 39; 3. San Francisco 49; 4. Santa Clara 110; 5. Saint Mary's 129; 6. UC Santa Cruz 194; 7. Sonoma State 197; 8. Cumberlands 212; 9. Academy of Art 268.
Cal Finishers: 1. Chelsea Reilly 17:20.00*; 4. Heather Cerney 17:39.00; 6. Elisa Karhu 17:55.00; 10. Laurynne Chetelat 18:12.00; 16. Crystal Esparza 18:29.00; 54. Taylor Bryson 20:42.00.
*ties course record
Complete women's results
