Canyons Cross Country Competes at Mark Covert Classic
Sophomore Jessica Ruiz has the best individual finish with her time of 19:05.4 leading the women's team to a fourth place finish.
The College of the Canyons cross country program competed in its second meet of the season on Saturday, with both the men's and women's teams invited to run in the annual Mark Covert Classic hosted by California State University, Fullerton.
COC sophomore Jessica Ruiz has the best individual finish for the Cougars with her 11th place time of 19:05.4 leading the women's team to a fourth place finish.
However, freshman Stephanie Martinez finished just a few steps behind with a time of 19.07.6 on the 3.1-mile course, to finish in 12th place. Díani Ellis was next to cross the finish line for COC, with a time of 20:18.9 to take 32nd.
Celine Whitman was not far behind with a pace of 20:26.2 to place 34th.
Taylor Hernandez rounded out the COC top-five with her mark of 20:53.3, good for 40th place in the field of 88 runners from community colleges, four-year NAIA schools and unattached athletes competing as part of a running club team.
COC's team total of 101 event points trailed only event champion Glendale College (38), second place finished The Master's College (39) and third place New Basin Blues Run Club (83).
The men's team finished 11th at the event, with COC sophomore Jake Higdon posting a team-best time of 26:39.6 to finish in 40th place on the nearly five-mile course.
COC freshman Christopher Ochoa finished in 60th place in the field of 136 runners with a time of 27:15.4, and Garrett Noltemeyer crossed moments later with a mark of 27:22.5 to place 62nd.
Canyons will next compete at the Fresno Invite at Woodward Park beginning at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.
—Jesse Munoz/COC Sports Information
Photo Credit: Mike Whitman/COC Sports Information
