BREA, Calif. – The San Diego State cross country team kicked off their 2018 season at the Mark Covert Classic (5k) at Carbon Canyon Regional Park Saturday morning. The Aztecs, who comprised of a freshmen-only team, took eighth out of 14 D1 teams.
Alize Hartke (Roseville, Calif) paced the Aztecs, finishing in 19 minutes flat, good for 55th place overall (out of 122 athletes). Not far behind her was Carlene Masar, who crossed the finish line in 19:03.4 (61st place).
The rest of the Aztecs' top five consisted of Paige Comiso (19:10.4; 65th), Caitlyn Couch (19:13.7; 67th) and Marissa D'Atri (19:21.7; 71st).
Other Aztec finishers included Renee Laurenzana (19:38.7; 82nd), Isabelle Davis (19:57.8; 98th) and Natalie Regalado (20:17.1; 115th).
UP NEXT
The Aztecs will be back in action in two weeks at the Riverside Invitational on Saturday, September 15.
THE NOTE
All of the Aztecs runners were freshmen making their collegiate debut.
STAT OF THE MEET
San Diego State has been running this particular course since 2013 and this was the fourth fastest team recorded.
QUOTE OF THE MEET
"The team performed well today for their first meet. For many it was their first collegiate race. All the ladies competed fiercely against the steep competition. Alize Hartke did an exceptional job moving up throughout the race to be our first finisher. Caitlin Couch was courageous and pulled the team out, setting the pace for the Aztecs early. The top five women worked well together." – Coach Robert Lusitana
MARK COVERT CLASSIC TEAM SCORES (Top 5 & SDSU) – Out of 14 DI Teams
1. Cal Poly – 56
2. Cal Baptist – 57
3. Arizona State – 68
4. Cal State Fullerton – 88
5. UC Davis – 114
8. SAN DIEGO STATE – 267
MARK COVERT CLASSIC INDIVIDUAL SCORES (Top 5 & SDSU) – Out of 163 athletes
1. Miranda Daschian (Cal Poly) – 17:45.7
2. Daan Haven (ASU) – 17:47.1
3. Anna Mate (Cal Baptist) – 17:52.5
4. Annet Somogyi (Cal Baptist) – 17:54.0
5. Alexis Nichols (ASU) – 17:54.0
55. Alize Hartke (SDSU) – 19:00.0
61. Carlene Masar (SDSU) – 19:03.4
65. Paige Comiso (SDSU) – 19:10.4
67. Caitlyn Couch (SDSU) – 19.13.7
71. Marissa D'Atri (SDSU) – 19:21.7
82. Renee Laurenzana (SDSU) – 19:38.7
98. Isabelle Davis (SDSU) – 19:57.8
115. Natalie Regalado (SDSU) – 20:17.1
141. Natalie Medina (SDSU) - 21:05.7
144. Naomi Smitham (SDSU) - 21:10.8
Aztecs’ Young Runners Impressive in Debut
