California Baptist University
Mark Covert Invite
Men Take 1st, while Women Finish 5th in CBU's Cross-Country Opener
8/31/2024 9:11:00 AM | Cross Country & Track
BREA, CA--- The California Baptist University cross-country team began its season at the Mark Covert Invitational in Brea, California, on Saturday morning. The men, as they did last season, claimed the team victory and dominated the podium, while the women would post a fifth-place finish.
The day began with the Men's 8K as the Lancers would race seven athletes in the 177-runner field. CBU would dominate from the start, never relinquishing the top position, and would have a runner in first place at all four splits of the course. Manuel Rojas, Jesus Alvarado (running unattached), and Zouhair Redouane would all take turns in the front of the pack, and it would be true freshman Redouane who would claim the individual title in his first collegiate race with a time of 23:45.4.
The Lancers would finish with six of its seven runners in the top 15, including four of the top six finishers. Alvarado would claim the runner-up position, while Massimiliano Berti and newcomer Ernesto Ruiz would snag the 5th and 6th spots. Victor Rosas and Rojas would round out the top finishers for CBU in 12th and 13th. The impressive finishes for CBU garnered them 33 points, which was 41 points better than the runner-up, which was host Cal State Fullerton with 74 points.
The Women's 5K wrapped up the meet for the Lancers, finishing 5th among the 14 teams in the field. The young CBU squad would have two runners in the top 20, including a 5th-place finish by true freshman Sini-Sofia Rajaniemi. Rajaniemi finished with a time of 17:56.4 in her first collegiate race and was followed by teammate Ceyda Pinar, who claimed 19th in the 171-runner field. Laura Acuna and Eleonara Visnevskyte would both finish in the top 30.
NEXT: The Lancers will travel across town to compete in the UCR Invitational on Saturday, September 21.
Players Mentioned
