Oct. 29, 2005
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State women's cross country team recorded its best finish in five years, placing fifth overall (134 points) Saturday morning at the 2005 Mountain West Conference championships at Collindale Golf Course in Fort Collins, Colo. Eighth-ranked Brigham Young won the 6,000-meter race with 23 points, easily outdistancing runner-up New Mexico (74 pts.)
"I was pleased with the way we raced today," SDSU coach Jennifer Nanista said. "The effort was certainly there and I couldn't be happier for our runners. We had some excellent times, so I think we'll be in good shape heading into regionals."
Sophomore Lital Azulay (Holon, Israel) recorded the best-ever time by an Aztec at the MWC championships, coming in fifth out of 66 runners in 21 minutes, 14.20 seconds, eclipsing Marie Nilsson's 21:53 clocking set at the 2003 meet. As a result of her finish, Azulay becomes only the second SDSU runner along with Nilsson to ever earn first-team all-MWC honors. Her 21:14 effort is also a 6K career-best and ranks second all-time in school history.
Azulay was helped by junior Lisa Crampton (Livermore, Calif.), who came in 21st overall with a personal-best time of 22:05.40. Fellow classmates Sarah Belger (33rd - 22:37.10) and Sara Cates (42nd - 23:15.10) also logged career bests for the Aztecs. Rounding out the SDSU contingent was senior Christal Cuadra (44th - 23:19.40), sophomore Lisa Naucler (49th - 23:36.00) and junior Celeste Tyson (54th - 23:57.60).
BYU's Heidi Magill claimed the individual title with a winning effort of 20:42.40. She was followed by teammate Chelsea Smith-McKell (20:59.20), who helped the Cougars win their seventh straight MWC title in as many chances.
The Aztecs will take a week off to rest for the NCAA West Regional meet, set for Nov. 12 in Palo Alto, Calif., at the Stanford Golf Course. The day starts with the men's 10K race at 11 a.m., followed by the women's 6K run at 12:15 p.m.
MWC Championships - Fort Collins, Colo.
(Women's 6K Results ): 1. Brigham Young (23 pts.); 2. New Mexico (74 pts.); 3. Colorado State (75 pts.); 4. Wyoming (121 pts.); 5. San Diego State (134 pts.); 6. Air Force (138 pts.); 7. Utah (189 pts.); 8. TCU (192 pts.); 9. UNLV (274 pts.)
Individual Results (SDSU only): 5. Lital Azulay (21:14.20); 21. Lisa Crampton (22:05.40); 33. Sarah Belger (22:37.10); 42. Sara Cates (23:15.10); 44. Christal Cuadra (23:19.40); 49. Lisa Naucler (23:36.00); 54. Celeste Tyson (23:57.60).