STANFORD, Calif. — The Dominican University of California cross country teams competed in the Stanford Invitational on Saturday at Stanford Golf Course. The men were led by Anthony Sassano while the women's team was led by Julianna Mendez.

As a team, the Dominican men placed 22nd out of 22 of non-Division I teams while the women placed 19th out of 19 non-Division I teams with an average race time of 27:20.

"This was a great opportunity and experience for our freshman," said Head Coach Teressa DiPerna. "The men's and women's teams as a whole improved times from the Humboldt meet. We're moving in the right direction."

Sassano clocked in first for the Penguins in 324th place out of 361 total runners with a 5:34 mile and a total time of 27:37 in the 8k. Leslie Williams finished with a time of 29:40 followed by Michael Temple's time of 29:55. Diallo Weeks posted a time of 30:59. LaTrielle Williams added to the team score with a finish teim of 31:30. Chis Suen finished with a time of 31:41 and Austin Puyaoan crossed the finish line with a time of of 33:34.

On the women's side, Julianna Mendez finished 55th out of non-Division I runners in the 6k with a time of 23:40. Sierra Najolia posted a time of 26:26, Franki Crites ran a time of 27:48, Katie Gomez posted a time of 28:55, and Alexis Bailey posted a time of 29:50. The Penguins' number two runner, Michelle Miranda, was lifted from the race due to a knee injury.

The cross country teams are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Sonoma State Invitational. The meets are being hosted at Spring Lakes Regional Park in Santa Rosa.