IRVINE, Calif. – The Aztec cross country team placed third at UC Irvine's Anteater Opener, their first meet of the 2021 season. Jessica Kain was the top Aztec finisher, coming in sixth place with a time of 14:22.5 in the 4k.
"The race was a solid rust buster for all who raced," Coach Lusitana said after the race. "Jessica [Kain] did an excellent job of breaking up CBU's top five. As a group everyone competed very well. Our top seven stayed focused throughout the race. We were dealing with some injuries, but still were very close to beating a very good UC Irvine team."
SDSU placed three runners in the top 20 and four in the top 25. California Baptist, who is ranked in the top ten in the West Region, took first place and was followed by UC Irvine, SDSU and then Long Beach State.
The next SDSU finisher behind Kain was senior Emily Burd who clocked in at 14:37.9, good for 11th place. Lauren Harper finished in 14:55.9 (17th place) and the Aztec top five was rounded out by freshman Nicole Meyer (22nd, 15:03.6) and Amber Elias (26th, 15:13.0).
Also running for SDSU was Taylor Lustyan (27th, 15:16.2), the Chico State transfer, Naomi Smitham (28th, 15:20.2), Alex Lomeli (35th, 15:40.6), Bailey Watts (40th, 16:05.4) and Natalie Regalado (46th, 17:25.6).
THE NOTE I
Jessica Kain has been the top Aztec finisher in the last three races for SDSU.
THE NOTE II
The Aztecs raced a 4k, opposed to their usual 6k.
UP NEXT
The Aztecs compete in UC Davis' Stump Invitational September 10 at 8:45. The 6k race will take place at the Wildhorse Golf Club.
Anteater Opener 4k – UC Irvine Arc Fields
Team Scores
1. California Baptist – 19
2. UC Irvine – 59
3. San Diego State – 73
4. Long Beach State – 90
Individual Results (Top Five & SDSU Results – Out of 53 runners)
1. Yasna Petrova (CBU) – 14:06.8
2. Greta Karinauskaite – 14:09.0
3. Hannah Chau (UCI) – 14:11.0
4. Anna Mate (CBU) – 14:14.9
5. Liza Hazuchova (CBU) – 14:21.0
6. Jessica Kain (SDSU) – 14:22.5
11. Emily Burd (SDSU) – 14:37.9
17. Lauren Harper (SDSU) – 14:55.9
22. Nicole Meyer (SDSU) – 15:03.6
26. Amber Elias (SDSU) – 15:13.0
27. Taylor Lustyan (SDSU) – 15:16.2
28. Naomi Smitham (SDSU) – 15:20.2
35. Alex Lomeli (SDSU) – 15:40.6
40. Bailey Watts (SDSU) – 16:05.4
46. Natalie Regalado (SDSU) – 17:25.6
Aztecs Place Third at Anteater Opener
