Fullerton Fine Place for Eagles

Race Results 

(9/4/07 - Cross Country) BREA - Two-time defending GSAC champion Concordia showed no signs of the 2007 season being a rebuilding year as the Eagles opened the campaign by knocking off all collegiate competitors at the Cal State Fullerton Season Opener at Carbon Canyon Park.

The Eagles took second overall in the race, but were only bested by a club team of post-collegiate runners. The Eagles finished with a total of 67 points, besting the hosts by 21 points for their third place finish. Conference-rival Azusa Pacific was 4th with 106 points while Vanguard (188) and Biola (190) were 6th and 7th, respectively.

Looking for someone to step in and replace all-American Carlos Handler, head coach Martin Gonzalez got a fine performance from newcomer Alaeeddine Khannouchi. He finished 5th place overall in the race, posting a time of 26:12.20. RIght behind him was teammate Jorge Jabaz, who took 6th just 7 seconds off his pace.

A few positions back was Tony Pulido, who was next across the line for the Eagles in 10th place with a time of 26:32.90, giving the team three runners among the top 10. Axel Ambriz was the 4th runner to finish by taking 21st position while clocking a time of 27:03.30 while Guillermo Cazares rounded out the five-runner tally in 35th overall with a time of 27:36.30.

Raymundo Vazquez grabbed one of the two displaced scoring spots for the Eagles by finishing in 49th overall with a time of 28:10.40. Veteran Luis De La Vega snagged the other spot by crossing as the 78th runner with a time of 29:10.00.

Also competing for the Eagles in the race were Tomas Aguirre (91st, 29:36.10), Chris Lightfoot (134th, 31:30.90) and Jarid Rollins (144th, 32:16.10).

"Overall, we finished the day feeling very proud of what we accomplished," said Gonzalez, whose team starts the year ranked 10th in the first NAIA Coaches Poll. "I am excited to move forward into the season knowing that the momentum is on our side and the pressure is no longer here."

With a week away from competition to contine their training, the Eagles hit the road on Saturday, September 15 to take part in the Midwest Classic in Kenosha, Wisconsin, site of the 2007 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships.