Stanford, Calif.----- San Jose State senior Craig Huff and junior Jose Pina continued their strong start to the 2019 outdoor season at the Stanford Invitational track and field meet.
Huff became the second San Jose State 3,000 steeplechase runner in school history to post a time under 8:50 with his fifth-place finishing time of 8:47.52. His previous best was 8:53.03 two years ago. His new career best is among the top times nationally among NCAA Division I competitors.
Running in his first 10,000 meters race of the season, Pina navigated the Cobb Track on the Stanford University campus in a career best 29:12.11 to finish 14th. His new career best is among the top times in the West after the first month of the 2019 outdoor season. Pina had a previous best and #4 on the San Jose State career list was a 29:25.16 a year ago.
Besides Huff and PIna's performances at Stanford, two-sport athlete Brandon Manigo competed in his first outdoor 100 meter race of the season and finished 25th with an 11.03 time. Aidan Jardon posted a 50.03 in the 400 to finish 31st. And, freshman Richard Dang was 11th in the long jump with a mark of 19-feet-11.75 inches.
At the Mike Fanelli Track Classic on the Chabot College campus in Hayward, Calif., the distance group other than Huff and Pina took the track.
Peter Handy was the top finisher in an event at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic with 43rd place finish in the 800. He crossed the finish line with a time of 1:56.52.
The Spartans return to the track Saturday, April 13, at the Fresno Classic.
Mike Fanelli Track Classic
Cox Stadium, Hayward, Calif.
March 29-30, 2019
Men's 1,500 meters – 1, Victor Moreau, Academy of Art, 3:46.65. San Jose State entry – 70. Huruy Zeratsion, 4:00.35.
Men's 5000 meters (228 entries) – 1, Daniel Estrada, unattached, 13:59.15. San Jose State entries – 56, Charlie Pope, 14:36.82. 73, Luis Chavez, 14:44.39. 85, Edgar Bonilla, 14:52.80. 145. Evaristo Mateo, 15:24.42.
Men's 800 meters (132 entries) – 1, Wyatt Gatrost, South Dakota State, 1:51.73. San Jose State entries – 43, Peter Handy, 1:56.52. 48, Jeffrey Page, 1:56.67.
Stanford Invitational track and field meet
Cobb Stadium and Angell Field, Stanford, Calif.
March 29-30, 2019
Men's long jump – 1, Daniel Butael, Michigan, 22-11.75 (7.31m). San Jose State entry – 11, Richard Dang, 19-11.75 (6.09m).
Men's 100 meters (46 entries) – 1, Yuki Koike, unattached, 10.07. San Jose State entries – 25, Brendan Manigo, 11.03. DNF, Cameron Smith.
Men's 400 meters (33 entries) – 1, Elliott Davis, Minnesota, 46.81. San Jose State entries – 31, Aidan Jardon, 50.03.
Men's 3000 meter steeplechase (Section 2, 15 entries) – 1, Ryan Smeeton, Oklahoma State, 8:41.26. 2, Alec Baston, Minnesota, 8:45.21. 3, Kenneth Rooks, BYU, 8:46.67. 4, Zach Litoff, Santa Clara, 8:47.39. 5, Craig Huff, San Jose State, 8:47.52.
Men's 10,000 meters (Section 2, 32 entries) – 1, Tibebu Procor, Washington, 28:54.33. San Jose State entry – 14, Jose Pina, 29:12.11.
