Stanford, Calif.----- Running their first 5,000 meters race this outdoor season, San Jose State University's Jose Pina and Craig Huff posted times at the Cardinal Classic track and field meet at Stanford good enough to make the school's all-time top-10 list in the event.
Pina was the first of the two Spartans to cross the finish line in the 5,000 placing ninth in a personal best 14:06.92, good for fourth on the all-time San Jose State list. His time at the Cobb Track was nearly 25 seconds faster than his previous best of 14:31.71 at the 2016 West Coast Last Chance Open.
"I felt tight from the beginning, but overall, the pacer did a great job of keeping us consistent. So, for me, it was maintaining the same rhythm, not getting ahead of myself and maintaining a good position towards the front of the pack," said Pina, who targeted becoming the third Spartan in school history to run under 14:00 in the 5000.
"I heard some splits were at 68 (seconds). So, we were backing up. When the pack began pushing, I felt tightness. My body was not 100 percent, but even then, I came close to my goal. One of my goals also was to 'PR.'"
For Pina, he now is #4 on the all-time San Jose State list for the 5,000 and the 10,000 meter runs.
Huff also notched a personal best with his 16th place time of 14:18.27, just over 15 seconds faster than the 14:33.35 he ran at the 2017 West Coast Last Chance Open. His new personal best is good for #9 on the San Jose State top-10 list in the event.
Huff also has his name in the Spartans' top-10 lists twice. He is #2 all-time in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 8:47.52.
Besides Pina and Huff, Michael Harris III turned in the Spartans' fastest times in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. Harris was clocked in 11.20 in the 100 and 22.90 in the 200 in his first outdoor track and field meet after six weeks of participating in San Jose State spring football as a running back candidate.
The Spartans are back in action Friday and Saturday, April 26 & 27, at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational hosted by Cal inside Edwards Stadium.
Cardinal Classic track & field meet
Cobb Track & Angell Field, Stanford, Calif.
April 19 & 20, 2019
San Jose State events only
April 19, 2019
Men's long jump (Three entries) – 1, Gunnar Rigsby, Colorado, 23-feet-0.50 (7.02m). 2, Richard Dang, San Jose State, 20-feet-5.25 (6.23m). 3, Wyatt Rhoads, Colorado, 19-feet-9.75 (6.04m).
Men's 400 meter hurdles (Two entries) – 1, Julian Body, Stanford, 54.31. 2, Matthew Porter, San Jose State, 1:12.74.
Men's 200 meters (Nine entries) – 1, Louis Stenmark, Stanford, 21.73. San Jose State entries – 5, Michael Harris, III, 22.90. 6, Brendan Manigo, 23.02. 7, Mikael Tyler, 23.54. 8, Cannon Yates, 23.67. No Place, Aidan Jardon, did not finish.
Men's 800 meters (Section 2, eight entries) – 1, Matt Plowman, Michigan, 1:51.06. San Jose State entries – 6, Jeffrey Page, 1:57.96. 7, Peter Handy, San Jose State, 2:00.91.
Men's 5,000 meters (Section 2, 23 entries) – 1, Clayton Mendez, Stanford, 13:57.99. San Jose State finishers – 9, Jose Pina, 14:06.92. 16, Craig Huff, 14:18.27.
April 20, 2019
Men's triple jump (Two entries) – 1, Gunner Rigsby, Colorado, 45-feet-2.25 (13.77m). 2, Richard Dang, San Jose State, 39-feet-11.25 (12.17m).
Men's 100 meters (Three entries) – 1, Keane Collins, unattached, 10.89. 2, Michael Harris, III, San Jose State, 11.20. 3, Brendan Manigo, San Jose State, 11.24.
Men's 400 meters (Six entries) – 1, Roshon Roomes, Iowa State, 47.82. San Jose State entries – 5, Mikael Tyler, 51.68. 6, Cannon Yates, 52.73.
Men's 1500 meters (Section 4 - nine entries) – 1, Josh Sealand, Pdc, 3:51.90. 2, Edgar Bonilla, San Jose State, 3:56.42. More San Jose State entries – 5, Luis Chavez, 3:59.44. 6, Huruy Zeratsion, 4:00.32.