Sept. 9, 2017
Fresno, Calif. - Josue Gonzalez was the seventh competitor to crossing the line to lead the San José State men's cross country team to a second place finish at the Fresno State Cross Country Invitational on Saturday morning.
Gonzalez, a senior, finished the four-mile course at Fresno's Woodward Park in a time of 21:04.4.
"Josue took the lead about halfway through the race," said head coach Brad Wick. "He probably went to soon and paid the price in the end, but it was a very solid effort."
In addition to Gonzalez, SJSU had its other four scoring runners finish in the top 20. Sophomore Charlie Pope and junior Nicholas Liebmann were 13th and 14th, respectively. Pope clocked a 21:31.9, while Liebmann crossed the line in 21:33.1.
"We have a number of athletes who are coming around," Wick said. "Charlie had a really solid race and Nick's finish was improved."
Mario Perez was 16th in 21:45.5, while freshmen Collin De Julio was 19th, in 22:09.1, and Henry Fisher was 26th in 23:08.1.
"Our goal coming in was to confirm our fitness was improved from where we were last week and I'm happy with what I saw," Wick said. "We have a number of athletes who are coming around.
"If Josue and Huruy (Zeratsion), who didn't race today, continue to improve and Charlie and Nick are joined by one or two more of the guys, we will be in a very solid place moving forward."
With the top-four finishers running for Cal Poly, the Mustangs won the team competition with 16 points. The Spartans scored 65 points and finished in second. Fresno Pacific and Fresno State were third and fourth, respectively.
Fresno Cross Country Invitational
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Woodward Park - 4 Miles
Team Results
1. Cal Poly (16 pts)
2. San José State (65 pts)
3. Fresno Pacific (70 pts)
4. Fresno State (73 pts)
Notre Dame de Namur (Inc. - only four finishers)
Individual Results
1. Peter Cotsirilos (Cal Poly) 20:38.8
2. Sean McDermott (Cal Poly) 20:40.7
3. Mikey Giguere (Cal Poly) 20:44.1
4. Alex Merder (Cal Poly) 20:51.0
5. Joel Gonzalez (Fresno State) 20:52.5
San José State Finishers
7. Josue Gonzalez - 21:04.4
13. Charlie Pope - 21:31.9
14. Nicholas Liebmann - 21:33.1
16. Mario Perez - 21:45.5
19. Collin De Julio - 22:09.1
26. Henry Fisher - 23:08.1