SAN FRANCISCO – Dominican cross country opened the season with a strong performance in the USF Invitational in both men's and women's races. The Penguin women finished 10th with 319 points in the 12 team field, while the men took ninth with 275 points in the 13 team field.

Graduate Julianna Mendez made her return to the Penguins a memorable one finishing the women's 6k in 22:34.5 to take 37th overall, the third best time for a non-Division I athlete. Senior Emma Digman added a time of 25:42.4 to take 102nd with Alexa Sullivan close behind in 107th with a time of 26:27.4. Sophomore Isa Ferris finished in 27:01.6 to take 112th with sophomore Morgan Semana stepping in from her normal role in track to finish with a time of 36:20.7 for Dominican.

Sophomore Jared Wright led the men with a time of 25:28.1 in the season opening 8k, with junior Stefan Mueller the next Penguin across the finish line in 60th with a time of 26:47.3. Junior Jacob Potere was close behind Mueller with a time of 26:52.1 to take 62nd. Senior Xavier Mendoza placed 89th with a time of 28:13.8 and freshman Hayden Peregrino rounded out the team with a time of 31:01.4 to take 106th.

Dominican will compete next at the Kim Duyst Twilight Invitational hosted by Stanislaus State on Saturday with races beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT at River Oaks Golf Course.