LAS VEGAS – The Aztec cross country team competed in their first meet of the season Monday morning, finishing fourth at the Silver State Collegiate Challenge 6k.
SDSU was led by Jessica Kain, who came in ninth place with a career-best time of 21:48.0.
Carlene Masar, the Aztecs' leading returner, finished in 14th, crossing the finish line in 22:02.1. Amber Elias, who was running in her first career collegiate race, came in just seconds behind Masar (22:06.6) to earn a 16th place finish.
Lauren Harper (24th, 22:46.6) and freshman Bailey Watts (25th, 22:47.0) rounded out the top five for the Aztecs, who had a spread of 59 seconds, the lowest of the five-team field.
Senior Renee Phillips (35th, 23:13.3) and Naomi Smitham (37th, 23:27.9) also ran for SDSU.
Utah Valley won the team competition, placing four runners in the top eight, to finish with 36 points. They were followed by Boise State (42 points), Air Force (54), SDSU (88) and Grand Canyon (141).
Air Force's Mahala Norris finished first with a time of 20:37.9, nine seconds ahead of Boise State Christina Geisler (20:46.1)
THE NOTE I
Sophomore Jessica Kain had the best time in a 6k of her career (21:48.0), topping her previous best of 22:35.6 set at the UC Riverside Invitational Sept. 14, 2019.
THE NOTE II
Freshmen Amber Elias and Bailey Watts along with Pitt transfer Emily Burd were racing in their first XC race for the Aztecs.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs will be off for the next month as they prepare for the Mountain West Championships March 5.
Team Results
1. Utah Valley – 36
2. Boise State – 42
3. Air Force – 54
4. San Diego State – 88
5. Grand Canyon – 141
Top Five Individual Results & SDSU (Out of 41 runners)
1. Mahala Norris (Air Force) – 20:37.8
2. Christina Geisler (Boise State) – 20:46.1
3. Sailor Hutton (Boise State) – 20:56.9
4. Maddie Empy (Utah Valley) – 20:58.7
5. Mazzie Melaney (Utah Valley) – 21:02.0
9. Jessica Kain (SDSU) – 21:48.9 – CAREER BEST
14. Carlene Masar (SDSU) – 22:02.1
16. Amber Elias (SDSU) – 22:06.6
27. Lauren Harper (SDSU) – 22:46.6
28. Bailey Watts (SDSU) – 22:47.0
31. Emily Burd (SDSU) – 22:55.9
35. Renee Phillips (SDSU) – 23:13.3
37. Naomi Smitham (SDSU) – 23:27.9
Aztecs Take Fourth in First Race of 2021
