The Sac State cross country team is off and running to a strong start in the 2000 season as they swept both the men?s and women?s competition Saturday at a meet hosted by the University of San Francisco.

The 2000 USF Cross Country Invitational, held Saturday on a four mile course at Golden Gate Park, included teams from The University of Hawaii, St. Mary?s College, and San Jose State in addition to the Hornets and the host Dons.

Erick Mencarini improved on last week?s sixth place finish by beating the entire field and finishing with a time of 20:59. Behind Mencarini was second place runner and fellow Hornet Craig Farley who finished at 21:05.

The men produced a stronger performance to win this week?s meet, and head coach Joe Neff was impressed with the effort given by his team.

“The men reduced the split between the first five runners to about a minute and 12 seconds,” Neff said. “We had just a big day.”

Not to be outdone, The Hornet Women turned in an equally strong effort by placing four runners in the top ten and five in the top eleven. Sac State?s Melissa Madeson finished in second place with a time of 23:50 and Tina Limon was fourth at 24:11 as the women narrowly outpaced San Jose State to take the overall competition.

Sacramento State Top 5 Finishes – Men:

1. Erick Mencarini 20:59

2. Craig Farley 21.05

6. Jake Mills 21:39

7. Steve Stumpf 21:58

10. Dustin Beauchamp 22:11

Sacramento State Top 5 Finishes ? Women:

2. Melissa Madeson 23:50

4. Tina Limon 24:57

8. Molly Peterson 25:54

10. Sara Swan 25:57

11. Annette Corey 26:07