SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos cross country teams will host the 8th Annual Cougar Challenge on Sunday, Oct. 18. The women's squad has defended home turf with victories each year the event has been held, while the men's team has won the event each of the last three years. The top-10 runners from both the Cougar women's and men's teams will be resting in preparation for the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships to be held in San Francisco on Sunday, Oct. 25.
 
The general public is invited to race against the Cougars. For information on how to sign up, click here.

The Schedule
Cougar Challenge
Sunday, Oct. 18
San Marcos, Calif. – Mangrum Track & Field
Race Information
5K Course Map | 5K Interactive Map | 8K Course Map | 8K Interactive Map
 
Race Times
8:00 a.m. – Women's 5K
8:45 a.m. – Men's 8K
 
Course
Both the 5K and 8K courses begin on the Mangrum infield and finish on the track. The courses are flat and fast, consisting of dirt trails and grass fields.
 
The Competition - USTFCCCA Rankings Listed
Cal State San Marcos (NCAA Division II: Women; Men)
Cuyamaca College (NJCAA Division I: Men)
Marymount (Calif.) (NAIA: Women; Men)
Mesa College (NJCAA: Women; Men)
San Bernardino Valley College (NJCAA Division I: Women)
Soka (NAIA: Women; Men)
 
Directions
From Interstate 5:
Merge onto eastbound Highway 78. Drive approximately 14 miles on eastbound Highway 78, then exit at Twin Oaks Valley Road. Turn right to go south on Twin Oaks Valley Road. Turn left at the second stoplight to enter campus (across from the 'Ralphs' shopping center). Make first left into Lot Z next to baseball field (parking is FREE during CSUSM Athletics' events). Walk east to venue.

From Interstate 15:
Merge onto westbound Highway 78. Drive approximately 4.5 miles on westbound Highway 78, then exit at Twin Oaks Valley Road. Turn left to go south on Twin Oaks Valley Road. Turn left at the third stoplight to enter campus (across from the 'Ralphs' shopping center). Make first left into Lot Z next to baseball field (parking is FREE during CSUSM Athletics' events). Walk east to venue.

CSUSM Cross Country
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Last Time Out: 2015 San Francisco State Invitational Recap
In the first time competing in the event hosted by its new CCAA rival, the Cougar women finished third overall and men placed fifth at the SF State Invite. Freshman Rachel Brady (22:15.1) finished 12th overall and the women's squad registered 93 points. Natalie Rodriguez (22:20.1) and Salena Gallardo (22:35.6) joined Brady in the top-25, finishing 14th and 24th, respectively. 
 
For the second consecutive race, freshman Steven Terris (25:07.6) was the top finisher for the Cougar men. Terris set a new personal-record and finished ninth overall, his second top-10 result of the year. The Cougars scored 115 points. Also in the top-25 for the men's squad were Trent Warren (25:16.2) and Caesar Castillo (25:31.7) who finished 15th and 25th, respectively. For a cull recap of the SF Invite, click here.
 
2014 Cougar Challenge Recap
Both the women's and men's teams won in impressive fashion. Kate Bouvatte led the women's squad, winning her second consecutive Cougar Challenge with a personal-best of 17:01. The women swept the top-five spots to finish with 15 points, 76 points ahead of runner-up San Diego Mesa. For a full recap of the women's competition, click here.
 
On the men's side, Andrew Tellames won his first event as a Cougar with a personal-best of 25:06. The men also swept their way to victory, registering 15 points to finish 40 points in front of runner-up Cuyamaca College. For a full recap of the men's competition, click here.

Steve Scott – The Man, the Myth, the Miler
Considered one of the greatest mile runners in American history, CSUSM head coach Steve Scott is a three-time Olympian and was a six-time All-American in track and cross country at UC Irvine. A member the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame, Scott ran 134 sub-4 minute miles in his illustrious career. Scott started the Cougar cross country and track & field programs in the 1999-2000 season. He has coached over 140 All-Americans and been named NAIA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year three times. He has also been selected Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Cross Country Coach of the Year 10 times.
 
New Territory
After 16 seasons of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Cougars enter their first season of NCAA Division II competition in 2015. CSUSM is currently in the second year of a three-year transition to full NCAA Division II membership. As a part of the transition, the Cougars will be ineligible for postseason play in 2015 and 2016.
 
New Conference
Cal State San Marcos is a part of the 13-team California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), made up of 12 CSU institutions and UC San Diego. The CCAA is one of the premier NCAA Division II leagues in the nation. Its teams have won more national championships (153) than any other conference.
 
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