SUNNYVALE, Calif. — Julianna Mendez added to her impressive résumé on Saturday with a seventh-place finish in the Santa Clara University Bronco Invitational Women's 6K Open. She paced a Dominican University of California team that finished 14th of 17 while the men finished in 15th of 16 teams.

Mendez posted a time of 22:51.6, which was seventh overall of 190 runners and third-best among those running as part of a team in the 6k. Cal State East Bay's Imani Heath wast the first attached runner at 22:29.3 and unattached runner of Maddy Berkson led all participants with a time of 21:24.3. Freshman Sierra Najolia was the next Penguin to cross the finish line in 117th place with a time of 26:15.9. Sophomore Katie Gomez finished in 131st with her time of 27:00.6. Despite competing while sick, senior Nicole Long posted a time of 28:17.2. Junior Aimee Carrazco finished in 154th with a time of 28:28.9. Senior Alexis Bailey clocked in at 28:55.9, good for 160th. Freshmen Michelle Gonzalez and Franki Crites crossed the finish line in 164th and 165th with times of 29:17.8 and 29:27.6, respectively. The Penguins averaged a time of 26:34.84, ahead of Holy Names, Mills, and California Maritime Academy. Chico led all teams with an average time of 23:28.10.

On the men's side, the Penguins averaged a time of 26:34.84 in the 8k. Freshman Anthony Sassano ran another consisent race with his time of 27:47.4, in 109th place of 198 runners. Senior Michael Temple ran his best race of the season with a time of 28:20.7, which found him 133rd. Leslie Williams III finished in 175th place with a time of 30:44.4. His brother, LaTrielle Williams, finished in 191st with a time of 32:48.1. Sophomore Neal Mathew posted a time of 34:55.5 (195th) and senior Austin Puyaoan finished with a time of 35:03.7 (197th). Senior Diallo Weeks did not race due to injury.

"Both teams tried a different strategy by going out controlled in the first mile and the women really working mile two and the men working miles two and three. The teams competed well even with a combination of being banged up and sick," said Head Coach Teressa DiPerna. "Everyone is coming off of an intense week of training to help set them up for the upcoming PacWest Championships. Despite not being rested for competition, many of them dug deep and went for it."

Dominican will have one final tune-up before the PacWest Championships on Friday, Nov. 7 with the Triton Classic hosted by UC San Diego on Saturday, Oct. 25.