Big boost for Las Positas runners

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Oct 19, 2006 | by Steve R. Waterhouse

THAT LAS POSITAS men's cross country team, which has had the most participation in recent history -- continued its fine season with a stellar outing at the Mills Invitational last Friday.

The Hawks won the meet with 31 points. William Jessup University took second with 35 followed by Pacific Union College (69).

Cal State East Bay also had a couple of contingents who fared well. Marcos Gomez took sixth place at the 8K event with a time of 28 minutes, 36 seconds. Teammate Elliott Nicholson took 12th with a time of 30:13.

But this day belonged to Las Positas, which posted its first invitational victory in the 11 years coach Steve Navarro has been at the helm.

"It was a big morale boost for us," Navarro said. "They're so excited. It was great to be out there with them. They had huge smiles when they hoisted up that No.1 trophy."

Juan Gomez took second with a time of 27:50. He was followed by Joey Nunes (27:55) and Ivan Medina (28:14).

Las Positas had four finishers in the top nine as Ross Mollenkopf finished ninth with a time of 29:46.

And what at time for the Hawks to come together. They will have some time off until the Coast Conference Championships, which will be Oct. 25 at Crystal Springs in San Mateo.

"This gives us something to look forward to," Navarro said.

Navarro said he has noticed the runners pushing harder during practice.

"They're running sub-5 minute miles," he said. "I told them to get to about 5 or 5:06 per, but they're all finishing they're miles under 5."

On the women's side, Las Positas' Parris Hodges finished fourth in the 5K event with a time of 21:05. Mills' Lupe Cazares was her school's top finisher. She finished ninth with a time of 22:44. Teammate Natasha Sommers finished 12th with a time of 23:59.

CSUEB VOLLEYBALL DOES IT AGAIN: It's beginning to sound like a broken record, but it's one that never goes out of style.

The Cal State women's volleyball team, which went 4-0 in the Pioneer Wild West Tournament over the weekend, improved to 21-6 and has posted 11 consecutive 20-plus win seasons.

In the latest Division III poll, the Pioneers just missed out on one of the top 25 teams. The Pioneers are 26th.

However, in the West Region poll the Pioneers, who have won 12 straight matches, are ranked No.5.

HOLY NAMES AWARDS: Sophomore Miya Frank and junior Colleen Boston were named the California Pacific Conference Player and Libero of the Week respectively for their efforts in leading Holy Names to a 3- 0 week.

In wins over UC Santa Cruz (3-1), William Jessup (3-0) and Simpson (3-2) Frank tallied 48 kills while hitting at a .336 clip. The Honolulu native added six service aces and 13 blocks, seven of which were solo.

Boston headed the defense for the Hawks, recording an impressive 80 digs (7.3 per) and seven service aces in her 11 games.

In the Hawks 3-2 come-from-behind win over Simpson, the Oakland native notched 47 digs and recorded five service aces. Boston was also named the NAIA Region II Libero of the Week for her efforts.

Staff Writer Steve R. Waterhouse can be reached by e-mail at

srwaterhouse@angnewspapers.com or by calling (510) 353-7024.