Ellis Takes Fifth, Team Places Eighth at CCCAA Cross Country State Championships

FRESNO, Calif. — College of the Canyons sophomore Díani Ellis capped a remarkable Cougar career by establishing a new school record time of 18:32.1 on the 5K course at Woodward Park to place fifth overall at the 2017 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships on Saturday.

Ellis was the top finisher for COC's women's team which placed eighth in the field of 20 participating schools.

Mt. San Antonio College claimed the 2017 State Championship with a score of 93, to finish just ahead of runner up Cuyamaca College at 95 points. Ventura College (103) was third followed by L.A. Harbor (121) and Glendale (147) in the top five spots. College of the Sequoias (183) in sixth and Riverside City College (202) in seventh also finished ahead of Canyons.

Ellis, who earned JC All-American honors for her performance, averaged a pace of 5:58.8 per mile at the meet to trail the fourth place mark of 18:31.5 turned in by Angelica Salas of Glendale College.

Ellis' performance at the 2017 state championship meet comes on the heels of a 2017 track & field individual state championship in the women's 3K steeplechase last spring.

Alyssa Brock of College of the Sequoias won the individual state title at a time of 17:43.1, followed by runner up Brenda Rosales (18:12.8) and Sarah Hollis (18:25.6).

Sophomore Stephanie Martinez placed 37th overall in the field of 162 runners with a time of 19:39, while Celine Whitman claimed the Cougars' third spot at 19:41.4.

Sophia Stephan (20:09.8) in 59th and Amanda Finn (20:53.8) in 105th rounded out the COC scoring times.

Samantha Bell (109th/21:00.7) and Kianna Schlesinger (140th/22:31.2) competed in the event but did not score for the Cougars.

COC's men's program did not compete as a team, but had two individual runners qualify to run at the state championship meet.

Sophomore Garrett Noltemeyer placed 40th overall in the field of 175 runners with a time of 21:19.5 on the four-mile course.

Fellow sophomore Cody Roelofson was 91st overall at a pace of 22:04.4.

Mt. SAC also won the men's state title, by edging Riverside City College 60-65.

L.A. Harbor College (136) was third followed by San Bernardino Valley College (156) and Hartnell College (169) in the top five.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

— Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information

—Photo credit: Mike Whitman/COC Sports Information