CHICO, Calif. – Freshman Joshua Litwiller came through with a huge performance for the Cal State San Marcos men's track & field team at the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships at Chico State, earning All-CCAA honors in the 10,000m final on Friday.

Litwiller recorded the best 10,000m of his career, registering a time of 30:47.12 that was the third-fastest in the final and the top freshman performance in the race. Sticking with the lead pack for much of the race, Litwiller moved in front for a mile in the middle portion of the race before falling behind Cal Poly Pomona seniors Brandon Ferguson and Mark Huizar, but holding onto third ahead of UC San Diego senior Brendan Gee.

"Josh was amazing; he was able to hold his own as a freshman against the group of seniors," CSUSM head coach Steve Scott said. "They kept trying to push him, but he wouldn't back down. He was just amazing."

The mark bests Litwiller's previous top time by 15.96 seconds and achieves the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying time. However, as Candidacy Year Three members of NCAA Division II, the Cougars are not eligible to compete at national championships this season. Litwiller is the second member of the men's track & field team to earn All-CCAA accolades.

Also coming through with a strong result was sophomore Steven Terris, who ran a 10,000m personal best of 31:00.95, the fifth-fastest time in the final. His time missed the NCAA Division II provisional qualifier by a mere 0.95 seconds.

The Cougars also registered several fantastic performances in the preliminary races.

Senior Justin Washington clocked the fastest time in the 800m prelims with a mark of 1:53.40, 1.20 seconds better than next fastest competitor. Freshman Shea Vavra also had a solid race, running 1:56.94 to post the ninth-fastest time in the prelims.

Sophomore Bryce Johnson ran a personal best 14.83 in the 110H to post the eighth-fastest time in the event.
 
Freshman Brian Wright ran a 100m personal best of 11.13, the 14th-fastest mark in the prelims.
 
In the field events, senior Patrick Holstrom had the eighth-longest mark of the day in the javelin with a toss of 52.51m.
 
The 1500m preliminary races were cancelled, advancing Vavra to tomorrow's final scheduled to begin at 2:05 p.m.
 
As Candidacy Year Three members of NCAA Division II, the Cougars are not eligible to score points toward the team total and individuals are not eligible to advance to the finals in their respective events if the event includes a preliminary heat.
 
Heading into the final day of competition, host Chico State leads team scoring with 90.5 points.
 
Competition at the CCAA Championships will resume tomorrow for CSUSM at 10:30 a.m. with senior Josh Maffei competing in the discus. The Cougars will first see action on the track in the 4x100m final, slated to begin at 12:40 p.m.
 
Men's Individual Results
100m Prelims
1. Paul Doan (UC San Diego) – 10.61
-- Brian Wright (CSUSM) – 11.13/PR (14th)
 
200m Prelims
1. Phill Bailey (Chico State) – 21.63
-- Brian Wright (CSUSM) – 22.51 (18th)
-- Bryce Johnson (CSUSM) – 22.75 (21st)
 
800m Prelims
1. Derek Morton (Chico State) – 1:54.60
-- Justin Washington (CSUSM) – 1:53.40 (1st)
-- Shea Vavra (CSUSM) – 1:56.54 (9th)
 
10,000m Final
1. Brandon Ferguson (Cal Poly Pomona) – 30:37.07
-- Joshua Litwiller (CSUSM) – 30:47.12/PR (3rd)
-- Steven Terris (CSUSM) – 31:00.95/PR (5th)
 
110H Prelims
1. Ingvar Moseley (Cal State L.A.) – 13.98
-- Bryce Johnson (CSUSM) – 14.83/PR (8th)
 
Hammer Final
1. Eric Bejaran (Stanislaus St.) – 55.96m
-- Josh Maffei (CSUSM) – 32.08m (12th)
 
Javelin Final
1. Jason Dunn (Chico State) – 63.90m
-- Patrick Holstrom (CSUSM) – 52.51m (8th)
-- Josh Maffei (CSUSM) – 46.00m (13th)
-- Tim Stalboerger (CSUSM) – 45.76m (14th)