Canyons Cross Country Starts Season at Mark Covert Classic

BREA, Calif. — The men's and women's COC cross country teams got their respective seasons underway during the 2015 Mark Covert Classic hosted by CSU Fullerton at Carbon Canyon Regional Park on Saturday, Sept. 5. 

The men's team finished fourth among the field of 13 schools, which also included the presence of several four-year programs.

However, COC was the second place finisher among community college programs, posting a score of 96 on the 8K course to finish just seven points behind Mt. SAC.

COC sophomore Ethan Walker led the Cougars with a time of 25:25.6 to place fifth among the field of 120 runners. Walker's time also ranked him second among community college athletes.

Sophomore Jason Hillquist recorded the next fastest time, finishing 18th overall and fifth among community college runners with a mark of 26:04.6.

Rounding out the five runners on the men's team were freshman Alejandro Bernal (30th overall/eighth among community college runners), Nick Liebmann (33rd overall/ninth among community college runners) and sophomore Joseph Rosales (34th overall/10th among community college runners).

The COC women's team finished sixth among the field of 11 schools, but second among competing community colleges.

Canyons was edged out Glendale College which finished fifth overall, and took the top spot among community college programs.

Freshman Jessica Ruiz was the top finisher for COC with a time of 19:13.6 on the 5K course, good for 20th place overall — and second among community college runners.

COC sophomore Alexandra Whitman was next to finish with a mark of 19:23.6. That time placed her as the fifth place community college runner and 28th overall.

Sophomores Amanda De Jesus, Shalyn Mabritto and Lizeth Flores finished 12th, 13th, and 14th, respectively, for the Cougars.

Both teams will next race at the Fresno Invitational taking place Saturday, Sept. 12, at Woodward Park in Fresno.