COLFAX, Wash. – San Diego State cross country finished their season in Colfax, Wash. for the NCAA West Regionals this morning. The team totaled 478 points finishing 14th overall, the program’s best placement at the regional race since 2005.
With a team time of 1:47:08.8, it is the Aztecs’ fastest team time at an NCAA West Regional since becoming a 6K race in 2000 and fourth fastest of 6K race in program history.
Vanessa Cabello paced the team with a personal best time of 20:48.9 improving on her fifth-ranked time in the program 6K record books. It is also the SDSU record for the Colfax Golf Club course. She finished 56th overall in the individual standings, the highest placement by an Aztec since the 2005 season when Lital Azulay finished 21st overall. It is the third time this season the senior has led the team across the finish line.
Samantha Wood was second among the Scarlet and Black with a time of 21:03.9 for a 72nd place finish. It moves her into sixth all-time on the program’s 6K list. It is her third race this year she has been one of the top two Aztecs to finish.
Emily Van Valkenburg was the third Aztec to cross the finish line posting a time of 21:26.8, ahead of Isabella Fauria’s personal best time of 21:44.9 as the fourth to finish.
Maddie Heller (22:04.3), Eva Rethmeier (22:10.2) and Lauren Harper (22:19.5) rounded out the scoring for San Diego State.
Stanford’s Amy Bunnage won the race with a time of 19:17.1 ahead of two Oregon runners who led the Ducks to the team title with 43 points.
San Diego State ends their 2024 season improving on what was a historical 2023 campaign. Overall, the Aztecs posted three of their top six fastest 6K team times in program history including the program record and collected their first ever 6K team victory capped off by their the best regional showing in nearly two full decades.
NCAA West Regionals Team Results (top three +SDSU)
1. Oregon – 43 points
2. Stanford – 67 points
3. Washington – 101 points
14. San Diego State – 478 points
NCAA West Regionals Individual Results (top three + SDSU)
1. Amy Bunnage – 19:17.1 (Stanford)
2. Silan Ayyildiz – 19:19.3 (Oregon)
3. Maddy Elmore – 19:23.7 (Oregon)
56. Vanessa Cabello – 20:48.9 (PR, 5th all-time)
72. Samantha Wood – 21:03.9 (6th all-time)
99. Emily Van Valkenburg – 21:26.8
117. Isabella Fauria – 21:44.9 (PR)
143. Maddie Heller – 22:04.3
152. Eva Rethmeier – 22:10.2
178. Lauren Harper – 22:19.5
THE NOTE
San Diego State had not had a top 75 finisher at the NCAA West Regionals since 2006. Two Aztecs (Vanessa Cabello, 56th and Samantha Wood, 72nd) both accomplished that feat this morning.