Oct. 18, 2014
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The San Diego State cross country team had eight runners set collegiate-best times en route to a runner-up finish at the Highlander Invitational in Riverside, Calif., Saturday morning.
Elaine Ribeiro led the way once again for the Aztecs, setting a PR over the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 54 seconds in a fifth-place finish out of 82 runners.
The rest of SDSU's top five also set collegiate-best marks, despite training through the meet in preparation for the Mountain West Championships on Oct. 31, led by Grace Hanshaw's ninth-place showing in 18:01.1. Rounding out San Diego State's top five was Lily Seynaeve (14th, 18:14.5), Dynasty Gammage (16th, 18:17.4) and Cassidy Towner (18th, 18:18.6).
"I am very happy with today's performance," head coach Shelia Burrell said. "(Assistant) coach Chris Capeau is doing an excellent job this year. Our team is motivated and I'm excited to see what we can do at the (Mountain West) meet. Most of our top runners ran heavy coming in and will have a good shot to run fast once we start tapering."
Rachel Roesgen was the next Aztec finisher in 23rd in 18:31.7, followed by Hannah Sawatzki in 31st (18:42.6 PR). Also competing for SDSU was Cali King (33rd, 18:46.4 PR), Jessica McCall (38th, 18:49.5), Dominique Regalado (45th, 19:04.6 PR) and Melissa Wendorf (19:23.9).
San Diego State totaled 63 points, good enough for second out of eight teams. The host Highlanders won the meet with 42 points. Cal State Fullerton (90), USC (94) and Cal State Northridge (96) rounded out the top five.
"This meet was the last for a few of our athletes and I couldn't be more proud of the improvement we've made as a team," Burrell said. "We are motivated, confident and ready to compete in a few weeks (at the MW Championships)."
The MW Championships is set for 10 a.m. PT at historic Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif., on Oct. 31.
UC Riverside Highlander Invitational
UCR Agricultural Operations Course - Riverside, Calif.
October 18, 2014
5,000-Meter Women's Team Results (Top 5 of 8 teams)
1. UC Riverside - 42
2. San Diego State - 63
3. Cal State Fullerton - 90
4. USC - 94
5. Cal State Northridge - 96
5,000-Meter Women's Individual Results (Top 5 of 82 runners + SDSU)
1. Raquel Hefflin (UC Riverside) - 16:46.6
2. Elizabeth Nelson (Cal State Northridge) - 17:01.4
3. Faith Makau (UC Riverside) - 17:13.9
4. Katerina Berdousi (USC) - 17:28.0
5. Emily Taylor (Cal State Fullerton) - 17:47.3
-----
6. Elaine Ribeiro (SDSU) - 17:54.0
9. Grace Hanshaw (SDSU) - 18:01.1
14. Lily Seynaeve (SDSU) - 18:14.5
16. Dynasty Gammage (SDSU) - 18:17.4
18. Cassidy Towner (SDSU) - 18:18.6
23. Rachel Roesgen (SDSU) - 18:31.7
31. Hannah Sawatzki (SDSU) - 18:42.6
33. Cali King (SDSU) - 18:46.4
38. Jessica McCall (SDSU) - 18:49.5
45. Dominique Regalado (SDSU) - 19:04.6
54. Melissa Wendorf (SDSU) - 19:23.9