UCR Results

RIVERSIDE, Calif.— For the second consecutive year, the Cal State San Marcos women's cross country team emerged as victors at the UC Riverside Invitational, finishing first of 18 teams in the field Saturday.
 
Last year's victory was marked the first of six straight victories that led the Cougars to their third consecutive NAIA National Championship. It remains to be seen how the team will fare in 2012, but it is certainly not a bad sign for the revamped Cougars.
 
CSUSM, the unanimous No. 1 in the latest NAIA poll, conquered warm temperatures for the second straight week to post a team time of 18:14. The Cougars finished with 30 points, ahead of second place Concordia (61) and third place finisher Claremont (108).
 
Junior All-American Chelsey Cortez, who has been a key contributor over the last three years and has improved remarkably each season, led the Cougars for the first time in her collegiate career. She finished second overall in 17:37.2, and was the first collegiate finisher in the race. The time, a personal best, makes her the eighth fastest performer in school history.
 
Two-Time All-American Kelly Thompson finished seventh in 17:53.5, and Heidi Swanson finished just outside the top-10 with a time of 18:14.4, good for 11^th place. Rounding out the top five were Ayded Reyes (15^th, 18:36.7) and Meghan Hamlin (22^nd, 18:52.2). Freshman Lauren Cortez and junior Ciera Stauffer placed 30^th and 35^th, finishing ahead of every other competitors' fifth runner.
 
The Cougars will have a two-week break before competing at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational Saturday, September 29.