SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – San Diego State Cross Country wrapped up the 2025 season competing at the NCAA West Regionals meet hosted by Sacramento State. The Aztec’s raced at the Haggin Oaks Golf Course across six kilometers against a field of 39 teams including five nationally ranked opponents. As a team, San Diego State secured 18th place thanks to a strong closing push that had the Aztecs move three spots up the standings across the final mile of the race. This would mark the second consecutive season the Aztecs were able to crack the top 20 in the standings while also submitting the program’s second-best finish at the NCAA West Regionals since 2005.
Individually, the team was led by transfer senior Rebekah Niednagel who saved her best performance of the year for the final race of the season. Her time of 21:43.9 was both a season and career best. Emily Van Valkenburg continued to be one of the top Aztecs as she was the team’s second finisher with a time of 21:59.7. Vanessa Cabello continued to build upon her return to the lineup after the Mountain West Championships. The senior was the third Aztec to cross the finish line after a strong kick that saw her move up eight spots in the standings with a final time of 22:01.2. Both Samantha Wood and freshman Emilia Greenway also closed the race with great kicks. Greenway has put together a strong season that was highlighted by closing races strongly and that trend continued with her moving up nine spots before crossing the finish line in 22:12.2. Wood would finish the race in 22:04.9. Rounding out the Aztec’s lineup was freshman Emily Russo who completed the race in 22:21.7 and sophomore Sara Jones who ran 22:55.9.
Individual Results
- 99th Rebekah Niednagel – 21:43.9
- 119th Emily Van Valkenburg – 21:59.7
- 122nd Vanessa Cabello – 22:01.2
- 127th Samantha Wood – 22:04.9
- 140th Emilia Greenway – 22:12.2
- 156th Emily Russo – 22:21.7
- 195th Sara Jones – 22:55.9