Cross country ‘pumped’ about season
By Bontã Hill
SPORTS EDITOR
Fresh off their first Northern California championship since 1969, the City College of San Francisco cross country team is looking to duplicate that accomplishment. To take it a step further, the Rams are looking forward to big things at the State Championships this season.
At the 17th annual USF Invitational at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park Saturday Sept. 5, four members of the championship team tested their mettle against Division 1 competition. Sophomores Sloane Cook, Benny Willers, Mark Frazier, and Fernando Diaz participated in the men’s 8k run.
Mark Frazier’s twin brother Luke sprained his ankle in practice on the day before the meet and was unable to compete.
All four Rams set personal best times. Mark Frazier came in at 36th place and finished as the best team member with a time of 26:33.40.
He was pumped about the team’s chances this season. “I’m ready. We have a chance to win NorCal again and hopefully we get a top-three finish at the State Championships this year,” Frazier said. “That’s what were shooting for.”
“Mark did really well. He’s planning on attending UC Davis next year, so it’s good to see him be able to compete on the same level as those guys,” Coach Mark Dyer said. “He would have been their third or fourth guy to finish.”
Sophomore Fernando Diaz finished with a time of 28:56.40, but wasn’t expecting much. To him, this was only practice run. Diaz and his teammates are looking forward to the bigger meets later in the season. “I just wanted to hit my last two miles and have enough energy to feel like I was kicking it a little bit,” he said.
Dyer was extremely happy with the outcome of the race and expects it to be a stepping stone for a great season.
“This was a great race to open the season with, especially for our returning guys from last season,” he said. “Everybody ran their best times and they are in much better shape than when they were coming into last season. It really set the tone for the season.”
The Rams next meet will be much bigger than the USF Invitational. The team will travel to Fresno Sept. 12 to participate in the Fresno Invitational.