Fullerton, CA  — Matthew Salas led the University of La Verne men's cross country team on Saturday as the Leopards got their first taste of extensive competition this season at the Biola Invitational.

Salas was the Leopards' top finisher in the race taking 15th overall in a field of NCAA Division II and III and NAIA teams. His personal record time of 26:44 ranks as that ninth fasted 8K time in Leopards history.

La Verne finished fourth overall as a team, a spot above SCIAC rival Chapman.

"The men did a good job of packing up early and then closing hard the second half," said head coach Justin Wood. Most of the team either PR'd or ran faster than last year so they so they get a little confidence from today."

Samuel Johnny was La Verne's second finisher, crossing the finish line with a time of 27:19. Eric Lopez-Elwell clocked in at 27:32, a personal record of his own.

Marcelo Arcos finished with a time of 27:48. Jeremiah Alarcon (29:31) and Kyle Regret (29:48) rounded out the race for La Verne.

Next Race

La Verne next competes at the Coyote Challenge at Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, September 22 at 7 p.m.