Individual ResultsTeam ResultsFORT VANCOUVER, Wash.— The Cal State San Marcos Women's Cross Country team garnered their fifth consecutive appearance on the national podium Saturday, finishing 4th in the NAIA National Championships held Saturday at the Fort Vancouver Historic National Site.
The Cougars—winners of the past three national championships from 2009-2011— finished with 149 points, behind A.I.I. rival British Columbia (98), College of Idaho (112), and Olivet Nazarene (133). CSUSM finished well ahead of Carroll, who finished fifth with 225.
Leading the Cougar pack was senior
Kelly Thompson, the only athlete who has been a part of all three national championship teams at CSUSM. Thompson came up big for San Marcos once again, finishing 5
th overall with a time of 17:37, defeating Jackie Regan of British Columbia, who won the A.I.I. Conference Championship two weeks ago. Her outstanding performance earned her All-American recognition for the third time, and even topped her 7
th place finish from a year ago.
Thompson also had the best all-time finish of any CSUSM athlete in the national championships— an impressive feat considering the talent on the team over the last 14 years. Her time of 17:37 was also the fastest by a Cougar at nationals in school history, and would have put her inside the top 3 in each of the last four seasons. For Thompson—the only senior competing Saturday— it caps off a terrific cross-country career for the most distinguished runner in school history.
Chelsey Cortez was the next to come in for the Cougars, finishing 37
th overall in 18:44, while
Ayded Reyes was not far behind, taking 47
th in 18:50. The pair of juniors will be the top returning athletes for CSUSM heading into 2013.
Meghan Hamlin capped off a terrific freshman season by placing 62
nd with a time of 19:05, and junior
Heidi Swanson was just a second behind in 64
th. Juniors
Michelle Cruz and
Ciera Stauffer served to displace scorers from other teams in 104
th and 120
th, respectively.
"I know the girls are a little disappointed, but for many [four] of them, it was their first time on the national stage, and they responded well. Nationals can be a whole different animal," said head coach
Steve Scott. "First, you need the talent to compete, and then you need everything to go right on that given day. For the last three years we've been fortunate to have done so, but today we came up a little short."
"British Columbia ran very well today, and there's nothing you can do to control your opponents. The girls ran their hearts out, and can be proud of what they've done. Placing on the podium is a great accomplishment, and the fact that they are still striving for more is a testament to how far we've come."
In addition to the women's fourth place finish, CSUSM also placed second in the combined men and women's cross country team title.
