The Long Beach State cross country team concluded the 2009 season at the NCAA West Regional in Eugene, Ore. as both men’s and women’s teams finish in 14th place at the Springfield Country Club. The men’s team finished with 431 points while the women’s squad came in with 403 points.

Sophomore Matt Maldonado led the men’s team as he recorded a personal best in the 10,000-meter race as he finished in 55th with a time of 32:09. Maldonado beat his previous best by 1:48 at last year’s west regional at Stanford.

Coming in second for The Beach was junior Travis Kuhlman as he crossed the finish line in 65th in a time of 32:21, followed by sophomore Raul Arcos in 88th at 32:55.

Junior Steven DeCastro finished fourth for LBSU as he finished in 96th and recorded a personal best by 51 seconds of 33:05.

Senior Dylan Jaedtke closed out his 49er career with a mark of 34:08 (139th), followed by fellow classmateJake Ainsworth at 34:31 (150th).

Stanford captured the team title with 27 points as the Cardinal had three runners take the three top spots, followed by Portland in second with 84 points and third place Oregon with 109. Chris Derrick of Stanford led the group of 182 runners as he finished with a mark of 30:38.

On the women’s side, sophomore Alisa Barajas was the top runner for the 49ers as she placed 56th in the 6,000-meter race in a time of 22:20.

Junior Jennifer Rodriguez came second for LBSU as she finished in 73rd (22:37), followed by freshman Annie Randall in 81st (22:43).

Freshman Hillary Zator crossed the line in 23 minutes (105th), followed closely behind was sophomore Liz Ramos at 23:04 (109th).

Senior Missy Barclay closed out her career at The Beach as she finished in 132nd with a time of 23:36.

Washington claimed the team title with 25 points, followed by Oregon in second with 66 points and third place Stanford with 94. Kendra Schaaf of Washington led the pack of 184 runners as she crossed the finish line with a time of 20:41.

Reports From LBSU