(Fresno, CA) With a tight finishing pack, the Mt. SAC Women's Cross Country Team captured the 2017 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship. This marks the Mounties 9th state title and their 19th podium finish (top 3 finish) in Mt. SAC History. The team scored 93 points (15th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 24th) to narrowly defeat Cuyamaca College who scored 95 points. A true "team" effort, the Mounties finished all five of their scoring runners in the top 24 places, without a finisher in the top 14 all-state individual medalist slots.
Maria Castello was highest finisher for the Mounties, taking 15th place in the field of 160 runners, running 19:04 over the historic 5 kilometer Woodward Park Course. Right behind her, in 16th place, was Teresa Castillo who ran 19:07.
"An amazing victory We were third at the top of the hill (at 1.75 miles into the race)." replied Mountie Head Coach, Doug Todd. "It was an amazing last mile." Since taking over the program 23 years ago in 1995, Todd has led the Mounties to 5 titles, 13 top 3 finishes and 18 top 5 finishes at the state championships. A future Hall of Famer, he is the winningest coach in Mt. SAC History with 13 state championships (XC/T&F) to his credit.
Final results for the seven Mounties is as follows:
- Hannah Batchelor (26th place, 19:23)
- Maria Castello (15th place, 19:04)
- Teresa Castillo (16th place, 19:07)
- Montserrath Celis (33rd place, 19:35)
- Alyssa Jaurique (63rd place, 20:12)
- Rebecca Ruiz (20th place, 19:14)
- Olivia Valderrama (18th place, 19:12)
The Mounties finish the season with the "Triple Crown" of cross country, winning a South Coast Conference, Southern California and State Championship. The traditionally powerful women's program last captured a state championship in 2014 and have also captured titles in 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996 and in 2000.
Click the link below to view complete results:
https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/?raceId=41074#resultSetId-102458
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.
