Sept. 3, 2009
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State cross country team opens its 2009 campaign Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Cal State Fullerton Season Opener in Fullerton, Calif. The Aztecs, who are making their 11th consecutive appearance in the meet, will compete in the women's invitational which will begin at an unusually late starting time of 6 p.m. PT.
The 25th edition of this year's race will be run at the Fullerton Golf Course due to construction at the original course (Carbon Canyon Regional Park). This year's race will be 6,000 meters as opposed to the usual 5,000-meter course and will feature three 2,000-meter loops. The loops are predominately flat with some rolling hill sections (mostly on the fairways) and some dirt sections and cart path crossings. The course is located at Fullerton Golf Course, 2700 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92835.
Last season, SDSU finished fifth of 15 teams with 125 points, trailing only Long Beach State (82), Cal Coast Track Club (86), Cal State Los Angeles (90) and the host Titans (124). Current junior Alma Escobar (Corona, Calif.) was the top individual San Diego State finisher, completing the 5K Carbon Canyon Park course in 19 minutes, 1.90 seconds. Other current Aztecs who raced at the CS Fullerton Opener a year ago include senior Rachel Williams (Mt. Hermon, Calif.) (22nd, 19:07.30), junior Sara Beyers (Danville, Calif.) (34th, 19:29.90), senior Darien Buc (Dana Point, Calif.) (36th, 19:37.90), junior Michelle Martinez (Burbank, Calif.) (44th, 19:49.80), senior Lyndsi Riley (Orangevale, Calif.) (80th, 20:52.90), sophomore Amy Brown (Sydney, Australia) (95th, 21:15.80) and sophomore Leigh Rutherford (San Diego, Calif./Helix HS) (141st, 27:50.10).
Following the Cal State Fullerton Season Opener, San Diego State will travel to Irvine, Calif., to compete at the Asics/UC Irvine Invitational on Sept. 12 at 8:30 a.m. PT.