(Walnut, CA) After a successful 2019 season, the team returns after the cancellation of the 2020 season hiatus, due to CoVID-related measures.

With the first action since November of 2019 when the team finished third in the CCCAA State Championships, the women will compete in the annual Cal State University, Fullerton Mark Covert Classic at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea, Saturday, September 4.

After five meets through the month of October, the team will compete in the 73rd Annual Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational.

The Mounties won the team and sweepstakes titles in 2019.

Next up are the South Coast Conference and Southern California championships at Compton and Irvine, respectively, before the CCCAA State Championships at Woodward Park in November.

"After a full summer gathering and preparing, the men and women are eager to compete and unite as one team committed to excellence on and off the field," Mt. SAC coach Ron Kamaka said. "Sophomores, Kaitlyn Atkinson, Jessica Mojarro-Salinas, and transfer Kimberly Peña will lead the women's team with a seasoned perspective and championship perspective. Peña, an All-American in 2019, and Atkinson bring state championship experience to the group and have made great improvements since that 2019 season.

"They'll lead a class of freshmen women, led by Amanda Crowell and Claudia Vera, whose prep careers bring great cross country experience."

Kamaka continued, "....team chemistry is positive and both men and women are learning to think, act and run as a unit.  Practice looks promising, but the real test of teamwork comes in the competition.

"How well we run to be our best while encouraging the team to succeed will be the measure that defines us.  We have promising expectations to become a unified team, which is essential to overcome the challenges we'll face from across the state."

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.