The San Matean

Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: courtesy of Jose Montoya CSM runner Jose Montoya at the Santa Barbara Invitational

The Mens Cross Counrty team was 'put down,' placing 15 out of 16 teams and last out of three NorCal teams, against the heavily favored Southern California talent at the Santa Barbara Invitational on Oct. 13.

The 'Dogs were led by freshman Jose Montoya in the four-mile race, placing 56 individually with a time of 23:49 and averaged 5:58 a mile.

Brandon Bercerra was second among CSM runners, placing 80 individually with a time of 24:35, followed by Chris Corgus, placing 98 and finishing 47 seconds behind Bercerra.

"The race was really hard," said Montoya. "As a team We did okay, but we need to get better."

Even though the team finished 15 out of 16 teams, the team has not lost hope, and their spirits appear to be high.

"This is the first time the team ran well together so we're getting better," said Bercerra. "NorCal is our division and that's what we need to be focusing on."

The Bulldogs are ranked 11 in NorCal overall, and need to have a strong performance at Coast Conference on Oct. 24 in order to make it to NorCal Finals.

"It needs to come together at Conference," said Head Coach Joe Mangan.

"The guys should finish sixth, but it would be nice to be fifth. This is what we have been training for all year," he said.

"I expect my best race of the season," said Montoya. "I expect my teammates to do the same. We are very focused on making it as a team, if not as a team then individually."

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