By Soren Stanton – Spear Reporter | Alexander Walker running his 8K race at the USF Invitational (Photo by SJSU Athletics)
San Jose State’s cross country team competed in its first meet of the season at the USF Invitational, with the men’s team finishing 15th and the women’s 12th.
Senior Alexander Walker was the highest finisher for the Spartans’ men’s team, setting a personal record of 25 minutes and 48.5 seconds in the men’s 8K to end the invitational in 66th place.
Junior Diego Cortes also had a strong showing in the men’s 8K, finishing 95th with a time of 26:19.
SJSU assistant coach David Verburg was pleased with the performances he saw from the Spartans.
“We opened up with really solid performances,” Verburg said. “Now the goal is to continue building throughout the season.”
Junior Amanda Chalburg finished 62nd with a time of 22:40 in the women’s 6K, making her the top finisher for the Spartans’ women’s team.
Verburg and the Spartans will hope to continue building momentum, with the Mountain West Championships only a month away.
The Spartans’ cross country team will return on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Saint Mary’s College Invite in Moraga, Calif.
