SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Senior
Kate Bouvatte and the No. 8 Cal State San Marcos women's cross country team defended their titles in the 7th Annual Cougar Challenge on Saturday at Mangrum Track.
"Considering this wasn't a strong team competition race, I told the runners to run with reckless abandonment today," said head coach Steve Scott. "And that is exactly what they did. They went out and ran hard and we got a lot of personal bests out of the day." As the reigning champion, the Cougars took the top five spots to finish with 15 points. San Bernardino Valley was the runner-up with 82 points, followed by San Diego Mesa (91), Cuyamaca College (98) and Palomar (142).
Bouvatte collected her second consecutive victory this season with a PR of 17:01. Her time ranks her second all time on the Cougar Challenge course.
Freshman
Natalie Rodriguez placed second among collegiate runners and fifth overall at 17:32. Sophomore
Raelyn Werley (17:50),
Charlotte Kuzminsky (18:15) and
Terra McGinnis (18:15) finished seventh, eighth and ninth overall, respectively.
Following the race, Scott publicly revealed his current battle with cancer. After consulting with medical specialists and exploring his treatment options, Scott chose to undergo proton radiation therapy at
Scripps Proton Therapy Center in San Diego. Scott will finish an eight-week course of treatment at the end of October, without missing a beat in his current coaching duties or active lifestyle. For more information, please read the complete release on the press announcement
by clicking here. The Cougars next compete in the West Coast Jamboree hosted by Biola on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Irvine Regional Park.
TEAM SCORES: 1. Cal State San Marcos 15; 2. San Bernardino Valley College 82; 3. San Diego Mesa College 91; 4. Cuyamaca College 98; 5. Palomar College 142; 6. Soka College 161; 7. Imperial Valley College 190; San Diego Christian 232; San Diego City College 242
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS: 1. Kate Bouvatte (CSUSM) – 17:01; 2. Jenna Munguia (Unattached) – 17:12; 3. Cortney Staruch (Unattached) – 17:21; 4. Whitney Patton (Unattached) –17:29;
5. Natalie Rodriguez (CSUSM) – 17:32; 6. Hilary Corno (Unattached) 17:37
; 7. Raelyn Werley (Unattached) – 17:50; 8. Charlotte Kuzminsky – 18:15; 9. Terra McGinnis (CSUSM) – 18:15; 10. Gina Merchant (Unattached);
OTHERS INCLUDED: 11. Salena Gallardo – (CSUSM) 18:23; 12. Bailey Smith (CSUSM) – 18:24; 13. Paula Stonehouse (CSUSM) – 18:25; 15. Cristen Lane (CSUSM) – 18:31; 17. Anahi Soriano (CSUSM) – 18:34; 19. Alyssa Omahen (CSUSM) – 18:39; 24. Tina Girolamo (CSUSM) – 18:49; 28. Lauren Morabito (CSUSM) – 19:07; 29. Meghan Hamlin (CSUSM) – 19:08; 30. Bethany Gracia (CSUSM) – 19:09; 32. Lauren Cortez (CSUSM) 19:14; 33. Shaina Pardo (CSUSM) – 19:14; 38. Mandy Solorio (CSUSM) – 19:38; 39. Diana Rubalcava (CSUSM) – 19:39; 50. Ashley Sanchez (CSUSM) – 20:17; 53. Danielle Tildahl (CSUSM) – 20:19; 68. Jenny Veyna (CSUSM) – 21:00; Jocelyn Veyna (CSUSM) – 21:14; 89. Jennifer Morales (CSUSM) – 22:35.
