CSUN Runners Qualify for Nationals

Cal State Northridge’s Eric McBride and Jorge Castro qualified for next week’s NCAA Division II national track and field championships by meeting the qualifying standards in the 800 and 1,500 meters at the Santa Monica Distance Classic at Santa Monica City College on Saturday.

McBride, a freshman from Palmdale High, ran the 800 in a school-record time of 1 minute 49.09 seconds. His mark eclipsed Vaughn Kastor’s 1988 school record of 1:49.69 and is the second-fastest qualifying time in the nation.

Castro, a junior, ran a personal-best time of 3:49.60 in the 1,500, which makes him the third-fastest qualifier in the nation. In earlier races, CSUN’s Rich Gitahi, Gerardo Vaca and Mike Ruggles recorded personal bests in the 800. Gitahi ran 1:53.43, Vaca ran 1:53.39 and Ruggles 1:53.38.