SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Returning to compete at Golden Gate Park for the second time this season, the USF Dons men's and women's cross country programs were in action Friday afternoon as they took part in the 2022 SF State Invitational.

It was a strong afternoon for the Dons women's team amid cold and foggy conditions in San Francisco, as Kira Gupta Baltazar came in first place racing in the women's 6,000 meter run. This was the first individual cross country win for Gupta Baltazar, who is the reigning individual triathlon national champion. As a team, the USF women came in fifth overall place on Friday afternoon. 

On the men's side, Danny Skovron led the way with a 49th place finish with a time of 26:44.6 in the 8,000 meter run. Making his debut competing for the Dons, Ryan Duncan raced in the 8,000 meter run and placed 69th with a time of 27:25.4. 

RESULTS:
Men's 8,000 Meter Run:
49. Danny Skovron 26:44.6
69. Ryan Duncan 27:25.4
75. Aaron Ruiz 27:47.3
Carter Lewis, DNF

Women's 6,000 Meter Run:
1. Kira Gupta Baltazar 21:13.7
16. Emily Jackson 22:25.8
28. Juliette Janne dOthee 23:02.4
58. Maddie Perkins 25:05.1
59. Kaylee Noda 25:06
67. Noga Gottlieb 25:54.2
5th Place Finish

CATCHING UP WITH COACH RILEY:
"Happy to see Kira with her first collegiate cross country wire to wire win today. She look really strong and much more poised than in our home opener. Emily Jackson also had a great day with what might be her best collegiate cross country performance so far. On the men's side, it was great to see Danny back in the lineup and welcome Ryan Duncan to the squad." 

UP NEXT:
The Dons will be back in action next Saturday as they compete in the South Bay at the Bronco Invitational at Bayland Regionals Park hosted by Santa Clara. USF competed in last year's event with the women's team taking home the first place prize and the men finishing in 10th place overall. 

FOLLOW US:
For more information on the USF men's and women's cross country programs, be sure to follow @donsxctf on Twitter, @donsxctf on Instagram and @donsxctf on Facebook.

SPONSOR THE DONS:
The University of San Francisco Athletics Department would like to acknowledge and thank our primary sponsor - Provident Credit Union - for their continued support of USF Athletics. Interested in sponsoring the Dons? Please contact Frank Allocco, the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, at fallocco@usfca.edu or at (415) 422-4561.