SAN DIEGO – San Diego State women’s cross country begins the 2024 campaign in Fullerton, Calif. competing at the Mark Covert Classic hosted by Cal State Fullerton. The women’s 5k race will begin at 8:45 a.m. PT at Carbon Canyon Regional Park.
The Aztecs, picked to finish seventh in the Mountain West preseason coaches’ poll, are set to compete against California Baptist, UC San Diego, San Diego and host Cal State Fullerton as well as several Division II and junior college programs in their first meet of the season.
Aztecs slated to run: Presley Bennett, Vanessa Cabello, Melani Falkowski, Isabella Fauria, Maddie Heller, Sara Jones, Maddy Parrone, Bella Peretti, Eva Rethmeier, Emily van Valkenburg, Samantha Wood, Tatum Zinkin
About the Roster
- The Aztecs return eight from last year’s cross country season, six of which ran at least one race throughout the 2023 season. They also return winter transfers Isabella Fauria and Samantha Wood who competed during the track and field season, but not cross country.
- Among the returners, Vanessa Cabello and Eva Rethmeier lead the way as the duo finished as the second and third SDSU finishers at four of last year’s races including the Mountain West Championships and NCAA West Regionals. Both women also recorded 6k times that rank in the program’s all-time top ten.
- Maddie Heller, Maddy Parrone, Bella Peretti and Tatum Zinkin also return from last year’s participants as well as Melanie Falkowski and Lauren Harper who redshirted in 2023.
- Heller is another top returner for the Aztecs, finishing among the top five SDSU finishers at all five races last year.
- Three new faces will don the Scarlet and Black this season as junior transfers Presley Bennett (San Diego Mesa) and Emily van Valkenburg (Oregon State) along with freshman Sara Jones enter the fold.
- Van Valkenburg has championship experience with the Beavers, scoring points for her team at the 2022 PAC-12 Championships, NCAA West Regionals and NCAA Championships. Her career best 6k time (20:22.9) would rank second-fastest in SDSU program history.
Recapping Last Year
- San Diego State had one of its best seasons in recent years in 2023, setting program record team times at the NCAA West Regionals and MW Championships as well as their fastest team time ever of any meet at the Highlander Invitational.
- They also recorded their best placement at the regional meet (21st) since 2005 and their best placement at the conference meet (7th) since 2010.
- Eva Rethmeier ran the second fastest 6k time (20:46.7) - without replacement - at the Highlander Invitational while Vanessa Cabello ran the sixth fastest (21:05.9).