In getting their first taste of post-season racing, SF State cross country teams yet again experienced mixed team results while having individual runners stand out.

In competing at the CCAA Championships in McKinleyville, CA on Oct. 24, both the men's and women's squads failed to collectively finish in the top five in their respected races but had individual bright spots for the SF State Cross Country program.

On the women's side, Tanya Ferreira continued her very impressive 2009 season finishing 21st out of 100 runners with a time of 23:48.9 in her 6K race.

"Tanya had a great race, highest finish in the last five years at SF State and 20 seconds back from all conference. We were lucky to have her leading the way," Pete Cushman, assistant coach, said. "She ran strong and patient on a course that was not easy."

The lady Gators finished 7th out of 11 teams earning 162 points.

"The course had a lot of wet grass and hills which made it difficult but fun," Ferreira said. "I felt strong and fast during the race so I was happy. Hopefully we can be 10th in the region for the next race and we are closing in on Humboldt."

The women's squad finished 16 points behind Humboldt State, a team the Gators have in their crosshairs for the NCAA DII West Regional's, which will be hosted in San Francisco.

Despite finishing 6th out of 7 teams, individuals from the men's squad stood out. The men's 8k race brought excitement to their future with freshman Brian Trejo individually finishing first for the Gators in back-to-back meets. Trejo finished 25th out of a total 68 runners with a time of 26:41.9.

"Brian has been extremely consistent for a freshman and has turned out to be more that we could ask for," Cushman said.

Trejo has had a very successful year for the Gators making the transition from High School running to the longer distance at the collegiate level.

"Brian ran really well again, I thought I had a better race in me and as a team we didn't do as well as we had hoped," team captain Kyle Fujitsubo said.

Finishing behind Trejo was Fujitsubo who clocked a time of 26:49.9.

"Kyle has been Mr. Constancy," Cushman said. "He handled the hills well and ran a good race. Kyle and Brian I would say are the most disciplined runners I have seen coaching here at San Francisco State."

Both men's and woman's squads have two weeks rest until the NCAA DII West Regional's at Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park on Nov. 7 at 9 a.m.

"I think we will do much better at regionals, we know the course and this last week we got a gauge who we need to run with," Fujitsubo said.